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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS 
WANT TO KNOW 




"Some one must go. 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS 
WANT TO KNOW 

HEROES OF OUR COUNTRY'S WARS 



B V Jtl 

EVEEETT T^TOMLINSON 

Author op "Places Young Americans Want to Know," 
"The Trail op the Mohawk Chef," etc., etc. 




ILLUSTEATED 



D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 

NEW YORK LONDON 

1918 



EiZi 



Copyright, 1918 by 
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 



NOV 30 ; : 



Printed in the United States of America 



. 



".'5751 



PREFACE 

These stories are taken from the different struggles 
in which the United States has been engaged, and all 
of them are authentic. Many have not been recorded 
in our histories, but every one is founded upon an 
event that actually occurred. The writer has pre- 
sented them in the hope that they will increase the 
interest in the perpetual struggle for life, liberty and 
the pursuit of happiness which our fathers won. 
Surely the present, of all the times in our history, is 
the one in which there is the greatest necessity of 
stimulating a strong and intelligent love for our coun- 
try. One flag, one country, one language, one pur- 
pose — all these ought to be the component parts in 
the construction of every true American, whether or 
not he is born within our borders. The spirit of 
the fighter is not always displayed on the battle field. 
There are contests which every one must face. Life 
is a perpetual overcoming. Every man becomes either 
a victor or a victim. To strengthen the purpose to 
win the best that life can give lies behind every wor- 
thy conflict. The writer takes this occasion to express 
his thanks to the various papers and magazines in 
which some of these stories have appeared. Particu- 

7 



PREFACE 

larly to the Magazine of the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution he desires to acknowledge the courtesy 
which permits the inclusion of several of his stories in 
this collection. 

Everett T. Tomlinson. 
Elizabeth, New Jersey. 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I A NAMELESS BOY HEKO . ., . .15 

A Story of the American Revolution 

II A PATRIOTIC SON 27 

A Story of the American Revolution 

III THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 38 

A Story of the American Revolution 

IV THE CELEBRATION" AT NEGRO HEAD 

POINT 53 

A Story of the American Revolution 

V HANTZ MC BRIDE *S MAGGIE ... 76 

A Story of the American Revolution 

VI TOM archer's daring . . . .95 
A Story of the American Revolution 

VII a pioneer's stratagem .... 109 
A Story of the American Revolution 

VIII THE NON-RESISTANCE OF RICHARD 

HILL 124 

A Story of the Quaker Colony 

IX DEFENDING THE FORT 148 

A Story of the "War of 1812 



CHAPTER 

X 



XI 

xn 

XIII 
XIV 

xv 

XVI 

XVII 

XVIII 



CONTENTS 
THE BIDE OF DAEBY NOON 

A Story of the War of 1812 

THE YOUNG COLOR BEARER . 

A Story of the Civil War 

THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

A Story of the Civil War 

SAM WILDER 's PASSWORD . 

A Story of the Civil War 

CLIMBING FOR THE FLAG . 

A Story of the Spanish War 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA . 

A Soldier's Story of the War in the 
Philippines 



PAGE 

164 



182 
191 
205 
217 
225 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE .... 239 

A Story of the War with Germany 

TWICE BURIED 257 

A Story of the War with Germany 

THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL . . . 266 

A Story of the War with Germany 



LIST OP ILLUSTRATIONS 
"Some one must go" . . . . Frontispiece V' 

PAGE 

Admiral Lord Howe 16 

Sir Henry Clinton 16 

George Washington 1' 

American Major General (from a print of 

the time) 20 

English Grenadier 24 

Hessian Trooper 28 

Soldier of the Congress (from a drawing by 

a German officer at the time) ... 28 
Where the Hessians turned into Galloping 

Hill facing page 28 ^ 

American Rifleman (from a print of the 

time) 31 

Eevolutionary Powder-Horn and Canteen 32 

Hessian made prisoner by Militiaman . . 35 

Ethan Allen 38 

Ruins of Ticonderoga 39 

General Lincoln 44 

American Seaman— 1776 45 

American Marine — 1776 46 

ii 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

PAGE 

Seaman— 1798 48 

Bevolutionary Musket called " Brown 

Bess" 54 

General Sumpter 57 

General Marion— "The Swamp Fox" . . 79 

Lord Cornwallis 79 

American Artillery drawn by oxen . . . 100 

William Penn 129 

Zachary Taylor 148 

General Harrison 149 

Tecumseh 150 

"The Prophet" 151 

Seaman— 1815 162 

American Soldiers abont 1800 .... 167 

Charging an earthwork 185 

P. G. T. Beauregard 191 

Abraham Lincoln 192 

Ulysses S. Grant 196 

Eobert E. Lee . 203 

The Maine 235 

Admiral Dewey 236 

Lieutenant Cassidy . ,. . facing page 240 

General Pershing .... facing page 244 

Soldier— 1918 257 



12 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS 
WANT TO KNOW 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS 
WANT TO KNOW 

CHAPTER I 

NAMELESS BOY HEKO 

A Story of the American Revolution 

IN 1778, Washington's little army was march- 
ing swiftly across New Jersey. The suf- 
fering at Valley Forge was now a memory. 
The activities of Clinton's forces in Philadel- 
phia, in the winter of 1777-8, no longer were a 
menace to the patriots of that region. General 
Clinton, marching ont of Philadelphia early in 
June, had been followed closely by the entry of 
the hardy patriots, so closely, indeed, that cer- 
tain of the Colonial troops even cut off and cap- 
tured straggling parties of the redcoats before 
they could flee from the Quaker City. So 
swiftly did Washington approach that many of 
the half-hearted patriots in Philadelphia, terri- 

15 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 




ADMIRAL LORD 
HOWE 



fied by the coming of the Colonial Army and 
with vivid recollections of the ways in which 
they had aided the redcoats that had been quar- 
tered in the city throughout the 
past winter, were now beseeching 
Clinton to take them with him on 
his departure. And the leader 
yielded, in spite of the fact that 
he discovered that there were so 
many of these recreant Americans 
that he would be obliged to alter his previous 
carefully made plans for transporting his 
troops. 

Originally he had planned 
for Admiral Howe's fleet to 
sail from New York, come up 
the Delaware and receive on 
board the red-coated soldiers 
who were to be carried by him 
to New York. There were 
so many, however, of the ter- 
rified Tories, who now recalled their half- 
hearted declarations of loyalty to the Colo- 
nies and their whole-hearted devotion to the 

16 




SIR HENRY CLINTON 




GEOBGE WASHINGTON 



A NAMELESS BOY HERO 

interests of Clinton's soldiers, that they had 
become a serious problem to the general. At 
last he yielded to their frantic appeals and sent 
word for Admiral Howe to come to carry these 
unfortunate men without a country by ship to 
New York. After he had safely disposed of 
his human cargo he was then to sail back as far 
as New Brunswick on the Raritan, where Clin- 
ton and his redcoats, after marching across the 
Jerseys, were to meet him. 

Meanwhile Washington's ragged and rugged 
army was doing its utmost to get in advance of 
Clinton's forces. Day and night the Continen 
tals were marching, hoping to gain some point 
in advance of their enemies where they might 
compel the redcoats to turn back or at least to 
abandon their line of march. Then, in a place 
of his own selection, Washington planned to 
give battle. 

The little American army, poorly equipped 
and still more poorly provisioned, was nearly 
overcome by the intense heat of the summer 
days. For years the oldest inhabitants after- 
ward referred to the summer as one of the 

19 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

warmest New Jersey ever had known. Along 
the dusty road, from the humble farmhouses, 
11 Molly Pitchers" continually came 
with water for the thirsty, 
marching soldiers. 

Difficult though his task was, 
Washington still was not relying 
solely upon the speed of his troops. 
Continually he was sending cour- 
iers in advance with instructions 
for the Jersey farmers to turn out 
and destroy the bridges in the line 
of Clinton's advance. In this way 
he was hoping to retard the march "ro^TSES^' 
of his enemy until he himself had 
gained the desired advantage he was seeking. 

In response to this call for help three men 
and a boy of sixteen one morning were working 
desperately in their efforts to cut the stringers 
of a bridge across a stream a few miles before 
the advancing redcoats. The air was like the 
hot blast from a furnace. The little band of 
four soon were showing the effects of their 
strenuous labors. Every one was swinging his 

20 




A NAMELESS BOY HERO 

ax with all his might, and perspiration was 
pouring in streams down his body. It almost 
blinded his eyes and yet the labors were not re- 
mitted. Not only must the great general be 
helped, but the very lives of the workers de- 
pended upon their efforts. 

The task, however, had not been completed 
when it became known that the redcoats were 
approaching and now were not far distant. 
Indeed, they were even nearer than the men 
suspected, for suddenly, before the stringers 
had been cut half-way through, notes of bugles 
and the rolling of drums were heard in the 
summer air. 

Startled by the unexpected sound every 
worker instantly stood erect and peered in- 
tently in the direction from which the music 
was heard. Nor was it long before occasional 
glimpses were had of the approaching scarlet- 
clad troops, as they followed the winding road, 
sometimes hidden from sight by the interven- 
ing trees and then again marching boldly along 
the open highway. 

The sight and sounds were more than the 
21 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

tense nerves of the workers were able to bear. 
Abruptly, as there came a louder, clearer blast 
of the bugles and the voices of the officers giv- 
ing their commands were distinctly heard, panic 
seized upon the workers. Moved by a common 
impulse they seized their axes and, though the 
bridge was yet standing, fled from the spot. 

The boy, however, remained at his task. Dis- 
regarding the frantic appeals of his recent com- 
panions to flee for his life he still swung his 
ax more lustily than before. Indeed, in his 
desperation the strokes fell faster and faster. 
The blinding perspiration prevented him from 
seeing clearly the stringers which he was chop- 
ping. He was only dimly aware that, after re- 
peated calls for him to follow them, his friends 
had fled across the fields and no longer were 
within sight. 

The advancing troops were rapidly approach- 
ing the bridge. The shrill notes of the fifes 
now were heard distinctly above the blows of 
his ax, but the young patriot would not desert 
his post. Still desperately he held to his ax and 
looked neither to right nor left. Somehow he 

22 



A NAMELESS BOY HERO 

was hoping that every stroke would be the last 
required and the bridge would fall into the 
stream below. But the stringers were of hick- 
ory and tough and strong, and consequently his 
task was prolonged. 

Scarcely aware of what he was doing he re- 
doubled his efforts. Not even a thought of flee- 
ing from the place had entered his mind. 
Washington had given orders to destroy the 
bridge and the word of the great commander 
must be obeyed. At last there was a slight 
creaking and groaning in the timbers. Only a 
few more strokes would be required and then 
the stringers would be cut through. The bridge 
would fall of its own weight. One more desper- 
ate effort was called for and then his task would 
be accomplished. The last blow fell, the creak- 
ing bridge groaned almost as if it were human 
and then with a loud splash one end fell into 
the water below. 

For a brief instant the young Colonial lad 
stood erect and wiped the streaming perspira- 
tion from his eyes. What he had been striving 
to do had been accomplished. It was high time 

23 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



for him to flee, if he was to find safety. At that 
moment, however, just as the boy turned to 
run, he saw that the redcoats had halted on the 
opposite bank. And they too had discovered 
him and seen also what he had successfully 
done. 

For a brief moment there was a silence so 
tense that it was almost possible to sense it. 
Even the young hero apparently had forgotten 
his plight and was watch- 
ing, almost fascinated by 
the sight, the redcoated 
soldiers on the opposite 
bank of the stream. 

The silence of the sum- 
mer day, however, was 
abruptly broken. A word 
of command was sharply $ 
spoken, the reports of many 
rifles rang out together and grenadier English 
the heroic young Jerseyman fell to the ground, 
his body almost literally filled with lead. 

There was only a brief delay for Clinton's 
troops, caused by the falling of the bridge, for 

24 




A NAMELESS BOY HERO 

the invading army, unmindful of the fleeing 
families, apparently unaware of the body lying 
by the roadside, pushed across the stream and 
the march continued. The notes of the fifes and 
the rolling of the drums soon sounded faintly in 
the distance, then were only occasionally heard 
till at last the silence of the summer day once 
more rested over the dusty road. 

It was long before the frightened Colonists 
returned to the place where they had left their 
young comrade. There a brief search soon re- 
vealed the body near the roadside and then the 
men, silent and conscience-stricken, carried the 
dead boy to his home. 

For days the country folk, subdued and quiet, 
talked of the heroism of the brave lad who had 
refused to flee when the men who had been his 
companions scattered at the time when most 
their help was needed. 

To-day, however, no monument marks the 
spot where the young patriot fell, no poet has 
ever sung the praises of the unknown lad who 
literally gave himself to the uttermost as a 
part of the price that was paid for the liberty 

25 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

of the land in which we live. Some day (per- 
haps) a singer will arise to give the nameless 
young hero the recognition he deserves from 
those who have profited by his gift but who 
never have heard of the giver. 



CHAPTER II 

A PATRIOTIC SON 

A Story of the American Revolution 

THE winter night was one of the wildest in 
the year 1779. Snow and sleet were 
mingled in the blinding storm. In spite of the 
darkness, a small detachment of Hessian sol- 
diers had safely crossed Staten Island Sound 
and safely landed on the Jersey shore. There 
they formed and stealthily marched up the long, 
winding street of Elizabethtown. There were 
few to know of their approach and no one to 
oppose it at the time. Without interruption 
the selected Hessian soldiers marched through 
Elizabethtown and then proceeded on their way 
toward the home of William Crane, at the foot 
of Galloping Hill a mile or more beyond the 
village. 

There were visions before the minds of the 
27 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

eager Hessians, of the reward which had been 
offered for the taking of William Crane (dead 
or alive), for he was a member of 
the New Jersey Colonial Commit- 
tee of Safety and so intensely pa- 
triotic was he that his enemies had 
decided to rid the Colonies of his 
presence. 

"When the Hessians arrived at 
the place they were seeking, the 
little house was hardly 
,# to be distinguished in 
HBssiAN trooper the storm from the 
great swinging trees behind it. 
There was only a brief delay before 
the soldiers made their way to the 
rear door. There, pausing a mo- 
ment, their leader advanced and 
knocked loudly with the butt of his 

SOLDIER OF 

rifle. The roar of the storm was THE r X G f ss ' 
the only sound that followed the TJimK 1 

OFFICER AT 

rude summons. Again the officer THE TIME 
struck the door with a rifle, almost smashing the 
panels. 

28 






WHERE THE HESSIAXS TURNED INTO GALLOPING HILL 



A PATRIOTIC SON 



In response to his last appeal the door was 
slowly opened and the sixteen-year-old son of 
Crane stood before the marauding force. With- 
out a word the entire band pushed their way 
into the kitchen where the leader called loudly 
for a light. 

Although he was frightened by the entrance of 
these enemies of his country the 
young American quietly did as he 
was bidden without making any 
protest. In the flickering rays of 
the candle, which he soon lighted, 
he saw the uniforms of his unwel- 
come visitors and instantly was 
convinced that the party had come 
hoping to capture his father. His 
supposition was confirmed a mo- 
ment later when the leader in broken 
English demanded that the mem- 
ber of the Committee of Safety 
should appear before him. 

"He is not here," said young Crane quietly. 

"It is a lie!" shouted the Hessian. "He is 
here and he shall come. You shall tell him. ' ' 

31 




AMERICAN 

RIFLEMAN. 

FROM A PRINT 

OF THE TIME 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



"But he is not here," repeated the lad, who 
was the only member of his family in the house. 
"We shall see! We shall see!" roared the 
Hessian in his broken English. Turning 
quickly to his followers he ordered them to make 
a hasty but complete search of the place. 
In silence young Crane stood and watched 
the men as they entered every 
room, overturning beds and 
smashing furniture in their un- 
availing quest. 

Convinced at last that Mr. 
Crane was not in the house the 
leader and his men returned to 
the kitchen and angrily facing 
the boy said, "He is not here." 
"That's what I told you." 
"But you shall tell where he has gone!" 
Young Crane shook his head and did not 
reply. 

"You shall tell!" roared the angry Hessian, 
glancing threateningly upon the lad. 

"I have told you all I know, and that's that 
my father is not here and I do not know where 

32 




REVOLUTIONARY 
POWDER-HORN 
AND CANTEEN 



A PATRIOTIC SON 

he is. You would not expect me to tell you, 
even if I did know." 

"But you do know and you shall tell ! ? ' again 
shouted the leader. As he spoke he adjusted 
his bayonet and stepped forward directly in 
front of the lad. 

Even the boys in those trying days had gained 
much of the self-control that belonged to their 
elders. Frightened, almost terrified, the boy 
undoubtedly was, for he was fully aware of the 
desperate character of his visitors, as well as 
of the reward that had been placed upon his 
father's head. 

"You shall tell me!" again shouted the 
leader. "You shall tell me, or you shall suf- 
fer!" 

The threat, however, brought no response. 
True to his word the brutal Hessian pricked the 
boy with his bayonet. Still, young Crane re- 
fused to betray his father. He quietly faced his 
tormentors and though his features were like 
gray granite there was not a sign of yielding 
to the demands of his angry visitors. 

Infuriated by the calmness of the lad and 
33 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

keenly disappointed by his failure to secure the 
member of the Committee of Safety, the Hes- 
sian officer again used his bayonet. But his 
question was still unanswered. The very fear- 
lessness of the lad increased the rage of the 
brutal soldiers. Twice more they pricked him 
with their bayonets, each time demanding that 
he should reveal the hiding-place of his father. 

Although he was bleeding from his wounds 
the young patriot sturdily and steadily refused 
to answer. 

The rage of the Hessians now became uncon- 
trollable. Their shouts of anger were heard 
above the roar of the storm, but their repeated 
demands and threats still failed to make the 
son of William Crane reveal his knowledge of 
the place his father was at the time. 

The boy was bleeding now from many wounds, 
but his determination was as marked as when 
the brutal questions were first asked. 

Again and again the Hessians repeated their 
questions, emphasizing their demands every 
time by thrusts of their bayonets. The suf- 
ferings of the patriotic boy were evident, but 

34 



A PATRIOTIC SON 



they failed to arouse any feeling of pity in the 
brutal band. His quietly spoken refusal to be- 
tray his father served only to increase their 
rage. With increasing brutality they prick- 
ed the lad with their bayonets, but they still 
failed to elicit any reply 
to their oft-repeated ques- 
tions. 

The infuriated soldiers con- 
tinued to press their demands 
but the lad soon was unable, 
even if he had been willing, 
to respond to their demands. 
In his exhaustion, bleeding 
from his many wounds, at 
last he fell to the floor. Even 
then the hired Hessians did 
not cease their efforts and 
still demanded that he should reveal to them the 
place where they might find his father. Be- 
tween the thrusts of their bayonets they re- 
peated their demands, but young Crane, loyal 
to his father and to his country, still did not 
answer. 

35 




HESSIAN MADE 
PRISONER BY 

MILITIAMAN 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

The brutal attacks continued until at last the 
suffering boy was unable to speak. Not a groan 
had escaped his lips and his silent devotion to 
his father and to the cause to which his father 
was faithful was unshaken. 

At last, when the brutal soldiers departed, 
they left the son of William Crane lying dead 
on the floor of his father's house. Nor did he 
die in vain. The story of his heroism soon was 
known throughout the region. Even the Hes- 
sians when they had recovered from their anger 
paid tribute to the lad's unflinching bravery. 
For years, however, the site of the house at 
the foot of Galloping Hill remained unmarked. 
The timbers of the old building decayed, even 
the foundations disappeared with the passing 
of the years. But the story of the lad who 
was true to his country as well as to his father 
still remained. 

Recently the Daughters of the Revolution 
placed a beautiful marker on the spot where the 
heroic young son of the patriotic member of 
the New Jersey Committee of Safety gave up 

36 



A PATRIOTIC SON 

his life rather than betray his father or the 
land he loved. If the crown of life belongs 
to those who are faithful unto death, surely the 
Jersey lad, who died to save his country, de- 
serves one of the brightest. 



CHAPTER III 

THE HEK0ISM OF RICHARJD WALLACE 

A Story of the American Revolution 

MOST people are aware that a few years 
ago old Fort Ticonderoga was restored. 
To-day one can stand upon its walls and look 
out upon almost the same sights that greeted 
Ethan Allen and his Green 
Mountain Boys in 1775. 
The shining waters of Lake 
Champlain still glisten in 
the sunlight, the beauty of 
the Green Mountains and 
the haze resting over the 
distant Adirondacks are 
unchanged. Even the very doors are like those 
to which young Nathan Beeman conducted 
Ethan Allen on that memorable May morning, 
and, after the doughty leader had rapped noisily 

38 




THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

with the hilt of his sword to arouse Captain 
Delaplace and his frightened little wife, he de- 
manded the surrender of the fort, and its garri- 




vjmjg^SF* 



RUINS OF TICOKDEEOGA 



son "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the 
Continental Congress. ' ' 
In this manner for the second time Old Fort 
39 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Ty fell without a gun having been fired in at- 
tack or defense. But the redcoats soon held 
the fort again, and then late in 1777, it was 
once more in the hands of the Americans, for 
John Burgoyne had more serious foes to meet 
than the little garrison that had been left be- 
hind him in the old fort. 

The new commander, however, was seriously 
troubled. He had received word that his foe 
was still strong enough to send troops against 
Lincoln and his men who had worked their way 
in behind the invading force of John Burgoyne 
and were harassing it in every conceivable man- 
ner. Indeed, it was Lincoln's ambition to seize 
and hold the little fort two miles across Lake 
Champlain, nearly opposite Ticonderoga. And 
the very night after the message was received 
was the time selected by Burgoyne for a sur- 
prise attack on Lincoln's troops in the hope 
of scattering the men and thus putting an end 
once and for all to their activities. How was 
the commander of old Fort Ty to send word 
across the lake to warn General Lincoln? Many 
vessels of the British fleet still were on the 

40 



THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

water directly between the two forts. Any boat 
attempting to pass would surely be taken. To 
go by land was impossible. And yet Lincoln 
simply must be informed of bis peril. 

At last in the middle of the afternoon the 
troubled commander of Ticonderoga assembled 
his men. Frankly he told them of the word he 
had received concerning the dire peril of Gen- 
eral Lincoln and his men unless they could be 
warned in time. With equal frankness he 
spoke of the danger of crossing the lake and 
stated that the venture might be fatal for the 
man who tried to carry the message for he must 
swim two miles, finding his way among the 
enemy's fleet and facing the danger of capture 
or even death. And there were other perils be- 
sides, cramps due to the cold water, loss of 
way and exhaustion, — all were among the pos- 
sibilities. 

When the commander ceased there was 
silence in the room — tense and eloquent. The 
men glanced stealthily at one another, but ev- 
ery countenance was set and stern, for every 
soldier was fully aware that their leader had 

41 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

not stated too strongly the perils that would 
beset the man to volunteer for the attempt. 
And yet there was the unspoken appeal of Lin- 
coln's troops — more eloquent because they were 
ignorant of the approaching danger. 

The stillness lasted until the very air became 
oppressive. The commander had become silent 
and not a man as yet had responded to his ap- 
peal. The condition was almost intolerable and 
the whitened faces of the assembly were indica- 
tive of the struggle going on in the heart of 
every soldier. 

Suddenly young Eichard Wallace stood up. 
"I will go," he said quietly. 

Instantly the eyes of all were turned toward 
the courageous young Vermonter. His Scotch 
blood was up and in his face was shining the 
reflection of the strength of will and unselfish 
devotion of his soul to his country. The re- 
lief manifested in the expressions on the faces 
of his comrades was a background for such a 
picture as is not often seen, even in times of 
war. 

"Good! Good for you, Wallace !" said the 
42 



THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

commander, touched by the heroic spirit of his 
boyish soldier and pleased that his appeal had 
not been in vain. 

"And I will go with him," spoke up young 
Webster quietly from the opposite side of the 
assembly. The full reaction now had come and 
the soldiers were loud in their praise and ap- 
plause. It may be that the loudest were those 
whose consciences most troubled them. The as- 
sembly soon dispersed, however, the men all 
talking excitedly as they departed. 

Young Wallace and Webster remained for a 
conference with the commander. After details 
had been discussed and arrangements made for 
their desperate venture they decided that as 
soon as darkness fell upon the waters of the 
lake the two daring volunteers should start. 

The hours that intervened were slow and 
heavy for the waiting soldiers. Each talked 
over his affairs with a friend, writing and leav- 
ing messages for his family in case he should 
not come back. The impatience of each in- 
creased as the minutes slowly dragged on and 
when at last the moment arrived when they were 

43 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

to start, it was with a feeling of relief that, 
without the attendance or knowledge of any- 
one except the commander they walked down 
to the shore of Lake Champlain. The night air 
was cold and the water shimmering in the dim 
light reminded both young adventurers of a 
field of ice. There was no opportunity, how- 
ever, for speculating on what might befall and 
both prepared at once for their plunge. 

The message they were to carry to General 
Lincoln had been written in duplicate and each 
had a copy which he con- 
cealed in his clothing. 
Each also was told what 
the message was so that if 
either failed to gain the 
distant shore, the other, 
provided he succeeded in 

GENERAL LINCOLN 

crossing, would be able to 
inform the general of the trap that had been 
made. 

The young soldiers stripped in the chill air 
and each tied his clothing in a bundle. To this 
bundle ropes were attached in such a manner 

44 




THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 



that one of the bands was placed aronnd the 
forehead of the swimmer — leaving the bundle 
a few feet behind him to be towed as he swam 
forward. Just after the start was made Wal- 
lace's band slipped from its place and becom- 
ing fast about his neck nearly strangled him 
before he was free to resume his 
efforts. 

Slowly and keeping well to- 
gether and at the same time doing 
their utmost to proceed silently 
the two daring swimmers passed 
into the waters of Lake Cham- 
plain. For a time their efforts 
served to keep them measurably 
warm, but the water was even 
colder than they had thought 
and soon they were beginning to suffer. Di- 
rectly across the water where the little fleet 
of their foes was lying they passed, frequently 
stopping to avoid discovery. The cry of the 
guards " All's well" was distinctly heard. 
Both were convinced that the words had an 
empty sound, however, as far as they were con- 

45 




AMERICAN 
SEAMAN, 

1776 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



cerned, for neither really believed that all was 
well with him. 

At last after many delays and frequent stops 
the two young soldiers were safely past the 
fleet. Several times they had been fearful their 
presence was discovered, but fortunately their 
fears proved groundless and they 
were not seen by the guard. Be- 
fore them now stretched a mile of 
1 the cold waters of Lake Champlain, 
seeming to stretch on forever into 
the night. Already their strength 
was failing and their bodies were 
becoming numb. It was impossi- 
ble to go back even if they had been 
so minded, but not a thought of 
abandoning the task they had un- 
dertaken had occurred to either. There was no 
way but forward. 

For a time Wallace occasionally called for a 
stop, but soon the exhaustion of his friend was 
so great that he dared not urge him to any- 
thing except a continuance of his efforts. No 
signs of pursuit had been seen and apparently 

46 




AMERICAN 
MARINE, 

1776 



THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

the lake before them was free. But their 
strength was gone. 

Wallace whose endurance was manifestly the 
greater now kept continually near his friend to 
assist him in case of sudden need. Several 
times Webster had almost given out and had 
it not been for the help of his friend he would 
have disappeared beneath the waters. The 
brief respite, however, had enabled him to re- 
sume his labors and at last the boys were within 
a hundred feet of the shore they were seeking. 
Wallace now was almost unaware that he had 
a friend near him. Great weights seemed to 
be holding him down. His breath came in 
gasps. For a long time his hands had been 
numb and it seemed to him that the cold had 
entered his very soul. He was scarcely able 
to see, but dimly aware that the shore was near, 
he struggled forward, moving with difficulty 
and scarcely moving at all. By inches the boys 
swam forward. Neither, with his glazed eyes, 
could distinguish the outline of the shore. Ev- 
ery action was mechanical, every foot gained 
increased the suffering. 

47 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



Suddenly Wallace felt the ground beneath 
his feet. Instantly abandoning his efforts to 
swim he stumbled forward. Twice he fell and 
with difficulty regained his footing, but each fall 
was forward. He was near the bank and at last 
with one more desperate effort he gained the 
shore. 

As soon as he had drawn in his bundle of 
clothing he was reminded of Webster. In the 
dim light he saw in the water an 
object which might be the head of 
his friend. Unmindful of his own 
condition Wallace again dashed 
into the lake and swam toward the 
spot and quickly was aware that 
his surmise was true. Webster, 
although he was within ten feet of 
the shore, was unable to move. 
Quickly seizing him by the hair 
of his head Wallace with great suffering 
dragged his friend ashore. But Webster was 
exhausted. He was not able even to stand. He 
was in dire need of a stimulant, but none was 
to be had. At last in sheer desperation Wallace 

48 




SEAMAN, 1798 



THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

hastily took his knife and cut several hickory 
switches with which he "soundly warmed the 
jacket" of his comrade, by which expression he 
meant that he warmed him without a jacket. 
And the improvised restorative worked admir- 
ably. In a brief time Webster revived and 
( ' soundly berated his restorer. ' ' Wallace, how- 
ever, did not desist until he was convinced that 
his friend was indeed able to walk and then the 
two chilled, shivering young patriots donned 
their wet and heavy clothing and set out for the 
camp of Lincoln's men. 

Their troubles, however, were not yet at an 
end. They were aware that guards doubtless 
had been established and as neither of the boys 
knew the countersign there was great danger 
that they might be fired upon by the sentry when 
they approached, before either could explain the 
purpose of their coming. 

They did not hesitate, however, and once more 
summoning their little remaining strength they 
pushed forward into the woods. 

It was so dark that they were hardly able to 
avoid the rocks and pitfalls. The sharp tines of 

49 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

the hemlock and spruce trees scratched their 
faces and tore their heavy wet clothing. In a 
general way they were both familiar with the re- 
gion and the commander at Ticonderoga had 
told them where they might expect to find Gen- 
eral Lincoln encamped. 

Several times they were fearful they had lost 
their way as they halted and listened intently 
for sounds that might indicate the presence of 
their comrades. Only the shadowy outlines of 
the forest trees and the sighing of the wind 
thus far had rewarded their search. There was 
nothing to be done except to keep on. 

It was after one of these halts just as the 
young soldiers were about to renew their search 
for Lincoln's men that both were startled by 
a sharp and sudden challenge. 

"Halt!" called the voice of an unseen chal- 
lenger, "Who goes there?" 

Wallace was first to recover his self-control 
and with chattering teeth he answered the hail. 
"Friend," he managed to ejaculate. 

"Advance, friends, and give the counter- 
sign," demanded the sentry. 

50 



THE HEROISM OF RICHARD WALLACE 

"We don't know the countersign, but we are 
friends. We have a message for General Lin- 
coln. We have just swum across the lake — " 

"What!" interrupted the guard sharply. 
"That's a likely story." At the same time he 
advanced very cautiously, holding his rifle in 
readiness if he should be attacked. Mani- 
festly he was fearful that he was in peril. 
The story of swimming Lake Champlain in such 
an intensely cold night was altogether improb- 
able. 

Soon he stopped before the shivering, chatter- 
ing young soldiers. Even in the dim light he 
was able to see their plight. 

"Are you telling me the truth?" he asked 
quietly. "Did you swim from Old Fort Ty?" 

"We did." 

"Why did you do it?" 

"Because we have a message for General Lin- 
coln. There was no other way, and some one 
had to come," said Wallace simply. "It is a 
matter of life and death." 

1 ' Have you the message 1 Hand it to me. ' ' 

"Not so. It is for General Lincoln only." 
51 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

For a moment the sentry hesitated and then 
said, * ' Come with me. ' ' 

So General Lincoln's force was saved from 
the trap made by John Burgoyne, but the part 
taken by Eichard "Wallace and his brave young 
comrade has been a forgotten chapter in the 
story. 



CHAPTER IV 

THE CELEBRATION" ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

A Story of the American, Revolution 

"VjrOW far will that rifle carry?' ' 

"I reckon it will carry 'bout four 
hundred yards." 

"The bullet looks as if it was a two ounce!" 

" That's what it is." 

"It's a big gun that can carry a two ounce 
bullet four hundred yards ! ' ' 

"I reckon that's so," laughed Colonel Thomas 
Bludworth, as he glanced at the weapon in his 
hands. "I have been working on this gun two 
weeks and now she'll do pretty much what I 
want her to. Come out to the barn and I'll 
show you how she will behave." 

Tim Bludworth, aged fourteen, and Jim 
Paget, a tall, slim lad two years older than his 
companion, both obediently followed Colonel 

53 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Bludworth as lie led the way from his work- 
shop to the place of which he had spoken. 

When the little party arrived, the colonel 
turned sharply about and exclaimed, "Look yon- 
der! See that mark I set up there V 

The two boys both laughed as they saw the 
indistinct outlines of an Indian drawn with red 
chalk on the barn door. 



REVOLUTIONARY MUSKET CALLED 
"BROWN BESS" 

"That's my target," continued the colonel, 
"and if you will wait a minute I'll show you 
that Old Bess will do what I tell her." 

"I didn't know you had already named your 
gun," laughed Tim. 

"That's her name," said his father, as he 
raised the huge rifle to his shoulder and hastily 
taking aim, fired at the vivid and yet distant 
target. A report that was terrific followed, 
and then the boys ran swiftly to the barn door. 

"Bight back of the eye!" called Jim Paget. 
"Good shot!" 

54 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

"What are you going to do with that gun?" 
inquired Tim now deeply interested, as he 
glanced in perplexity at his father. 

"Perhaps I'll show you a bit later," an- 
swered the colonel dryly. 

"You can't shoot foxes with it." 

"I reckon I might hit a fox, but there wouldn't 
be much left of his pelt." 

"You brought home a fox, two coons and a 
mink the last time you were out," suggested 
Tom. 

"Correct, son! Do you know where Negro 
Head Point is?" 

"Everybody within five miles of Wilmington 
knows that. How did it get such a name any- 
way?" 

"It is said that there was a negro outlaw that 
used to commit sundry and divers acts of theft 
and murder in this part of the Old North State 
years ago, and that finally the men ran him 
down there on the Point. They stuck his head 
on the end of a stick and left it there as a 
warning to others. That's how the name came, 
I'm told." 

55 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"It would be fine if it was there now," sug- 
gested Tim, "and some of the Tories could see 
it. Maybe the Whigs wouldn't be suffering 
then the way Mr. Dodd did up at Eouse's last 
week. ' ' 

"It's the Tories who make the trouble," said 
the colonel slowly after he had once more fired 
at the Indian target. "It's been every man's 
hand against his neighbor ever since Cornwallis 
came down here. It isn't safe for any man to 
leave home! Everybody is even more afraid, 
since the redcoats have been in Wilmington." 

The morning was that of the Third of July, 
1781. The dashing campaign which Cornwallis 
had been conducting in the South had aroused 
the most intense feelings among the patriotic 
Whigs of the region. The coming of General 
Greene, the daring deeds of Francis Marion, 
General Sumter, and other stirring patriots had 
intensified the determination which the long 
struggle for independence had aroused. 

Young Tim Bludworth's older brothers now 
were with General Sumter, and their occasional 
visits home had inflamed the lad, already deeply 

56 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

moved by the atrocities of a struggle which now 
had become largely a civil war. The recent 
return of a band of redcoats to Wilmington 
had increased the alarm and anger already 
prevalent among the 
patriots of the region. 
Perhaps young Tim 
Bludworth, as he 
watched his father 
shoot at the impro- 
vised target, suspected 
immediately that the 
huge rifle, Old Bess, 
had been made for GENBRAL SUMPTEB 

other purposes than shooting foxes, which pre- 
viously had been the chief recreation of the 
easy-going "colonel." 

"Boys, how would you like to celebrate the 
Fourth to-morrow V 9 

"Fine!" exclaimed Jim Paget. "Is that 
what you're practicing for now?" 

Colonel Bludworth made no reply though a 
smile for a moment appeared upon his wrinkled 
face. "I would let you boys try this new rifle 

57 




FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

if I thought it wouldn't kick you across the 
river. ' ' 

"I'm not afraid, " spoke up Tim promptly. 

Grimly the colonel handed the loaded rifle to 
his boy, who quickly raised it to his shoulder and 
fired at the outline of the Indian on the barn 
door. 

Jim Paget laughed loudly when his compan- 
ion was almost thrown to the ground at the 
discharge, but he wisely held his peace, as the 
boys ran forward to discover how accurate 
Tim's aim had been. 

"In the head!" shouted Tim gleefully. 

"You did well, son," said his father quietly, 
"perhaps we'll need your help — " 

"In celebrating the Fourth?" inquired Tim. 

1 ' Who knows ? ' ' was his father 's reply. " I 'm 
thinking of taking you boys with me to-morrow 
to celebrate the day." 

"Where?" inquired Tim. 

"Negro Head Point." 

1 ' That little point of land between the North- 
east and the Northwest rivers, where they en- 
ter the Cape Fear?" inquired Jim. 

58 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

"And about four hundred yards from the 
Market Street Dock," suggested Tim dryly. 

Colonel Bludworth glanced quizzically at the 
lad and laughed as he said, "We'll see if we 
can't stir up a fox or tree a coon somewhere 
there. We may be gone some time, so I think 
we had better take some 'prog' with us." 

The following morning, after Colonel Blud- 
worth had filled two wallets with food, and 
bidding his young companions carry the two 
burdens while he himself took Old Bess, to- 
gether with a hatchet and auger and also a 
large jug in which water was to be stored, all 
started toward the bank of the Northeast River 
where their canoe was concealed. The morn- 
ing of the Fourth of July, 1781 was warm and 
clear and as the boys paddled down the slowly 
moving river they plainly saw Negro Head 
Point after they had turned the first bend in the 
stream. 

"Boys," inquired the colonel, "do you see 
that big cypress tree on the Point?" 

Both young paddlers ceased their labors for 
a moment and glanced over their shoulders at 

59 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

the huge tree standing high above the swamps 
and forests that covered Negro Head Point. 

" Every one who comes down the river can't 
help seeing that cypress," said Tim. 

"I reckon that's so," said his father, "but 
sometimes such people forget that they too can 
be seen from the cypress. That big tree is go- 
ing to be our home for two weeks, maybe, and 
if things don't go right, it may be our everlast- 
ing home. ' ' 

Both boys were staring at the man now, and 
as neither spoke, the colonel continued, "The 
other day, when I was out hunting foxes, my 
dogs chased a fox right to the Point and then 
dogs and fox all of a sudden disappeared from 
sight. I could hear the barking, but I couldn't 
see the dogs. At last I made up my mind that 
they must be inside that tree. I looked all 
around it, but I couldn't find any way of get- 
ting into it. Then I went back almost fifty 
yards and began to circle the tree. I had not 
gone far before I found a place where the 
leaves and the bark had been scratched up as 
if the dogs had been digging there and pretty 

60 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

soon I saw a tunnel that looked large enough 
for a man to crawl into it. I tried it and crept 
through the hole until I saw it was an under- 
ground passage and then pretty quick I came 
to a big room where the dogs were having a 
great time. They had killed two foxes, a coon 
and a mink right there in the hollow of the 
tree." 

"Is the whole tree hollow V 9 inquired Jim 
Paget excitedly. 

"It is." 

"How far up?" 

"Far enough to be above the level of most of 
the other treetops on the Point." 

"Why do you want us to come down here?" 
inquired Tim in a low voice. 

"To celebrate the Fourth," answered the 
colonel dryly. 

No further explanation was given and it was 
not long afterward when the little party landed 
and concealed their canoe, and then began to 
make their way through the thick undergrowth 
of loblolly, bay, rattan and bamboo briers 
toward the huge cypress. 

61 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

When they arrived they discovered that the 
tree was at least seven feet in diameter and 
that the lowest limb was seventy feet above the 
ground. The exterior or shell was perfectly 
sound and though the boys made a careful in- 
spection there was no possible entrance to be 
found there. 

""We'll soon be inside," said the colonel con- 
fidently. ' ' You just keep close to me. ' ' 

With their burdens the boys followed their 
leader as he conducted them to the tunnel he had 
discovered some fifty yards distant. In single 
file they crawled through the underground pas- 
sage and in a brief time arrived at the room 
inside the hollow tree. 

"Before our celebration begins," explained 
the colonel, "we'll have to do a little work. 
We want a platform on which we can stand and 
we've got to bore some holes in the bark through 
which we can shoot. That's what I brought 
the auger for. The first thing we must do is to 
bring in some branches so that we can make a 
scaffold. ' ' 

Depositing their loads, all three retraced 
62 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

their way through the tunnel to secure the neces- 
sary timber. 

" Now, ftoys,' ' said the colonel, as in the dim 
light he glanced at the faces of his companions, 
" we've got to make an opening large enough 
to hold the muzzle of Old Bess. When she 
goes off, I reckon somebody's head is going to 
ache, but I don't think it will be mine. I want 
to aim straight for the old Market Dock in 
Wilmington. Now, if either of you thinks he 
can stay here without flinching say so. If you 
don't, you may start for home, and old Tom 
will try his luck alone. ' ' 

Both boys eagerly declared that they would 
remain with the colonel and at once began their 
preparations. The colonel climbed upon the 
shoulders of Jim Paget, and then helped Tim, 
the lightest of the three, to climb upon his 
father's. Standing there he at once began to 
bore a hole through the shell of the great cy- 
press. In this manner their labors continued 
for two hours until a scaffolding had been 
erected and not only was there a hole through 
which Old Bess might be sighted and fired, but 

63 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

several additional holes higher in the tree were 
bored to admit light and air. 

It now was noon and still the celebration was 
delayed. 

"We can't see over those bay trees right in 
front of us," suggested Jim Paget. 

"Correct," answered the colonel, "and the 
only thing for us to do is to cut away some of 
the branches." 

"I don't see," declared Tim soberly when 
the task of trimming the bay trees had been 
accomplished, "how you think we're going to 
be hidden here, anyway." 

"Why not?" inquired his father. 

"They will see the smoke of the rifle every 
time we fire." 

"You forget, son," explained Colonel Blud- 
worth, "that from ten o'clock in the morning 
until sundown, the wind almost always blows up 
the river just as it does to-day. That will blow 
away the smoke of Old Bess in a northerly di- 
rection, right among the cypress trees, and at 
the same time will drown the noise. I don't be- 
lieve there is a man on Market Dock who will 

64 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

suspect a shot can reach him from Negro Head 
Point, to say nothing of coming from this old 
cypress. Shall we try it now?" 

Both boys instantly declared that the time 
for action had arrived and each of them took a 
position near a hole in the trunk through which 
he could watch the effect of the two ounce ball 
which Old Bess was expected to throw as far 
as Market Dock. 

"Boys, can you see those soldiers in front of 
Nelson's store on Market Wharf? You watch 
while I send a ball to find out what they are do- 
ing there this fine Fourth of July. They may 
not understand, but I'm politely asking after 
the health of Major Craig, and what I can do 
for that infernal Tory, Captain Gordon of the 
dragoons." 

A tense silence followed the drawling words 
of the leader, and both excited boys once more 
eagerly peered at the assembly on the dock. 

The report of the rifle was almost deafening. 
For a moment it almost seemed as if the tree 
itself had been rent asunder. Neither boy 
moved from his position, however, and in a mo- 

65 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

ment Tim excitedly exclaimed, " There 's a man 
down and four others are carrying him into the 
shop." 

"Very good," remarked the colonel quietly, 
as he wiped out his gun, and refilled his charger 
with powder which he carefully poured into the 
muzzle. Then taking a patch from the breech 
he rubbed it in his tallow box, before he placed 
it in the muzzle and carefully rammed it home. 

"Now fix my seat, Tim, and I'll see if I can 
send another into the shop to look after the 
first." 

Again the huge rifle spoke and the excite- 
ment of the watching boys increased. ' ' There 's 
another one down!" exclaimed Jim Paget. 
"See, they are carrying him too into the shop !" 

It was manifest that now dire consternation 
had seized upon the assembly on the wharf. 
The boys saw that the excited soldiers were 
running to and fro, some pointing in one direc- 
tion and some in another. 

"Hear the drums !" whispered Tim gleefully. 

"And the fifes are squealing, too !" added Jim 
Paget. 

66 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

"Look yonder !" abruptly exclaimed Colonel 
Bludworth. "There's a column of soldiers 
marching down to the Wharf with their colors 
flying and their fifes playing the best martial 
music the Tories know." 

"Great ! Great ! ' ' laughed Jim Paget. < ' Let 
me try my hand at them this time. ' ' 

"Do you think you can hold the gun steady?" 
inquired the colonel. 

"Yes, sir! Yes, sir! I'm sure I can!" 

The weapon was handed to the eager lad, who 
took careful aim, and pulled the trigger. In a 
moment it was manifest that the redcoats again 
were thrown into confusion. 

' ' Look there ! ' ' said Jim, highly elated. ' ' The 
column is deploying and scattering in every di- 
rection." 

"I reckon they don't like the impudent way 
Old Bess has of telling them that this is the 
Fourth of July. See there !" added the colonel 
abruptly, "they are taking to their boats and 
we may have to leave here in double quick time. 
We '11 wait a bit though, and see. ' ' 

It was true the men were embarking, although 
67 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

the watching trio only surmised that a hasty- 
council had been called which had decided that 
the shots must have come from the swamps on 
the opposite side of the river. 

"That's what they are doing," said Tim, 
laughing as he spoke. "They're making for 
the swamps and there isn't one boat that's 
headed for Negro Head." 

"It's lucky they think it isn't possible for a 
rifle ball to reach them from here," suggested 
Jim. 

"I think this will be about enough for the 
first day," said the colonel at last. "Open our 
wallets now and we'll find out what we have 
there to eat." 

When the trio awoke the following morning 
they could not discover any one moving about 
Market Wharf. Indeed, a silence that was al- 
most deathlike seemed to be resting over Wil- 
mington. It was not long, however, before the 
drums and fifes struck up the morning reveille, 
and soon there was the usual bustle and hum 
about the town. 

"Nobody seems to be coming to Market 
68 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

Wharf," suggested Jim, after lie had watched 
the scene for a time. 

1 ' Got shy, have they f ' ' laughed Tim. < * Wait 
till ten o'clock and you'll see Nelson's shop 
crowded with men. We don't need to be in any 
hurry, for the wind won't set up the river be- 
fore that time." 

Tim's prophecy was fulfilled, for as the hour 
of ten arrived several redcoated men were seen 
moving rapidly toward Nelson's shop, dodging 
in and out as if they were fearful of trouble in 
the transit. 

"We'll wait a bit," said the colonel, "before 
we make any further trouble." 

When the noon hour arrived, however, Old 
Bess renewed her celebration and as a result an- 
other man was carried by his companions into 
Nelson's shop. 

Again hastily reloading and firing his rifle 
the colonel swept away the hat of a dragoon, 
who had ridden to the dock to water his horse. 

"A little wetting may improve that fellow's 
feather," he suggested, as he prepared once 
more to load his rifle. 

69 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

But the drums in Market Wharf now were 
beating to arms and boats were being sent with 
men to search the swamp on the opposite side 
of the river. 

When night fell, however, the Tories returned 
with no greater knowledge than they had ob- 
tained the preceding morning. 

The "celebration" continued several days 
and Colonel Bludworth and his companions were 
as yet unsuspected. Unknown to them, how- 
ever, a Tory neighbor to whom reports had 
come of the strange shots on the dock, made 
his way to the commissioner's quarters in Wil- 
mington and had a long interview there with 
that officer. It has always been suspected that 
to him was due the suggestion that Negro Head 
Point was the place where the unknown marks- 
men were hiding, and that Colonel Bludworth, 
who with the two boys was known to have 
been absent from home for a week, doubtless 
was not ignorant of the trouble. 

Be that as it may, early the following morn- 
ing the colonel said sharply to his son, "Tim, 
aren't those boats headed for this point !" 

70 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

"I reckon they are, father." 

"What shall we do!" 

"Why," broke in Jim Paget, "if we shut 
up the hole where Old Bess peeps out, I reckon 
we might as well stay right here. It will take 
pretty sharp eyes to find us." Jim's advice 
was taken and the hole was quickly closed. 

Meanwhile the boats approached the shore 
and soon twenty men with axes were landed on 
the Point. Instantly the task of cutting away 
the undergrowth and trees was begun, but it 
was evening before the party advanced as far 
as the hollow cypress in which our heroes were 
concealed. 

"Well," exclaimed one of the soldiers, as he 
struck an ax into the huge tree, "it's now sun- 
down. This cypress is too huge for us to touch 
before morning. We must cut it down then be- 
cause it hides the view into the swamp be- 
yond. ' ' 

"It'll keep us busy a week," suggested an 
officer, not suspecting that the tree was only 
shell. "But I'll leave ten men to start the 
job at sunrise to-morrow morning." 

71 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

The words were distinctly heard by the in- 
mates of the cypress tree. Through the partly 
closed port-holes they had been constantly 
watching the labors and approach of their ene- 
mies, and as the soldiers came nearer their 
hiding-place, the fear of Tom Bludworth for 
himself and his brave companions naturally 
increased. Escape now seemed well-nigh im- 
possible. 

"That's better," suggested the colonel to the 
boys in a low voice when the statement of the 
officer had been heard, "but we must get away 
to-night. ' ' 

No one responded and all three anxiously 
watched the officer who now departed, leaving 
behind him ten men, who were to fell the cy- 
press the following morning. 

The ten men were closely watched from the 
tree, as they withdrew to a large yawl which 
was anchored in the nearby river. The men 
soon spread over it an awning, and then, after a 
sentinel had been stationed near the yawl and 
another had been placed a few hundred yards up 
the Northwest River and still another about 

72 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT 

the same distance up the shore of the North- 
east, they were soon asleep. 

In a little cove not far from the spot where the 
yawl was anchored, hidden among the rushes, 
was the canoe in which the trio had come to 
celebrate the Fourth of July on Negro Head 
Point. Only a few feet intervened between this 
spot and the nearest sentinel. 

"We'll have to get that guard, or we'll never 
leave here alive, ' ' suggested Jim Paget quickly. 

" Tomahawk ?" whispered Tim. 

His companion shook his head, "Not unless 
I have to. ' ' 

A little later, unobserved by his companions 
in the gathering dusk, Jim Paget stealthily left 
the hiding-place. As he advanced toward the 
canoe, suddenly a rattan snapped in his hand 
while he was trying to push the undergrowth 
aside. 

"Who goes there f " instantly demanded the 
sentinel, at the same time pointing his gun 
in the direction from which the sound had 
come. 

For a moment it seemed to Jim Paget that his 
73 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

last hour had come. Instantly, however, his 
quick wit returned and his skill in imitating 
the cries of different animals, wild or tame 
quickly suggested a means of escape. 

There was a grunt, followed by several pro- 
longed groans, like those of a i 'piney wood hog. M 
The sentinel, apparently convinced, exclaimed, 
"Go on with your long snout! I might have 
known that nothing but a hog would come here 
to be eaten up by the mosquitoes !" 

Peering through the brush, Jim watched the 
guard, as he placed his gun on the stump of 
a tree, and then seating himself on the ground, 
leaned back and a few moments later began to 
snore. 

A sudden impulse seized the watching young 
Whig, as he listened to the snores and saw the 
open mouth of the sleeping soldier. Turning 
hastily about he swiftly made his way back to 
his companions, and as he entered the room, he 
said, "Come! Come, right away! The crit- 
ter's fast asleep, and his mouth is wide open! 
It would be too bad to kill him, so we'll just 
put a gag in his mouth.' ' 

74 



THE CELEBRATION ON NEGRO HEAD POINT" 

As the little party crept from their hiding- 
place, Jim cut a small, round stick and tied a 
string to each end. Cautiously and slowly ap- 
proaching the place where the sentinel noisily 
was sleeping, the trio leaped upon him and in 
a moment the man was gagged and bound fast 
to the stump against which he had been lean- 
ing. The celebrators then turned toward the 
shore and, moving swiftly and noiselessly, soon 
obtained their canoe. In the darkness it was 
not difficult for them to paddle the little craft 
silently up the river, and before sunrise they 
arrived safely at Colonel Bludworth's home. 

Just before they entered the house Tim said 
to his father, "The Tories and the redcoats may 
find out who were with Old Bess at Negro Head 
Point." 

"If they do," replied his father, "we'll give 
her some more work to do ! ' ' 

But the following day the troops were or- 
dered to vacate Wilmington and the danger was 
passed; but the celebration of the Fourth of 
July, 1781 was one which Tim Bludworth and 
Jim Paget never forgot. 

75 



CHAPTER V 

HANTZ MC BRIDE'S MAGGIE 

A Story of the American Revolution 

YOU have done well, Maggie." 
" Which do you like better, mother — 
the Fox or the Muscadine V ' 

"I like them both, daughter,' ' replied Mrs. 
McBride, with a smile. "In times like these 
even wild grapes are useful, for only the good 
Lord knows where or how we are to be fed this 
winter if the Tories keep up their work. We 
have little left on our place and if your father 
and Isaiah don't come home pretty soon — 
Child, ' ' Mrs. McBride interrupted herself to say 
sharply, "you are all in a tremble! What is 
the trouble? Did you see any wolves while you 
were in the Pine Barrens ? ' ' 

"Mother," said Maggie McBride in a low 
voice, as she glanced timidly about her and then 

76 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

advanced quickly to the side of Mrs. McBride, 
"I saw the Tories' camp." 

Maggie, who in the autumn of 1781 was a well 
grown girl of fourteen, spoke in a low tone and 
her excitement was manifest in her glowing 
cheeks and eyes. For a moment her mother's 
face became pale, as without speaking she stared 
at her daughter. 

"Are you certain ?" she demanded at last. 
"How do you know?" 

"I saw it! I saw it with my own eyes 1" re- 
plied Maggie eagerly. 

"Where is it!" 

"In the black-jack glade, right on the bank 
of Keren's Creek." 

"How far from here is that?" 

"About two miles." 

"How do you know it is a camp of Tories?" 

"I saw Sim Jimmison there. And besides^ 
the Whigs don't hide in the Pine Barrens, 
do they?" Maggie demanded triumphantly. 
"They don't have to hide." 

"All the reports must be true then," said 
Mrs. McBride thoughtfully. "People have been 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

saying for days there was a camp of the Tories 
in the Piney Woods. I couldn't believe it for 
there is scarcely a person in this part of North 
Carolina who isn't a friend of the colonies. 
I shouldn't think the Tories would dare come 
near us. They wouldn't either, if the men 
were at home! I wish your father and your 
brother were here this minute! Maggie," she 
added quickly, "are you certain no one saw 
you? And to think it was the wolves I was 
fearful of when I let you go for wild grapes 
this afternoon!" 

"Not a soul saw me, mother," declared Mag- 
gie confidently, "but I can tell you what the 
Tories are here for." 

"What, child?" 

"To try to get some of the slack-twisted ones 
to join them," said the girl angrily. "I un- 
derstand now what Sarah Trewin meant yes- 
terday when she said she couldn't see any harm 
in drinking tea — the only trouble she had was 
that there wasn 't any tea to drink. I told her I 
wouldn't drink a cup of tea if King George 
himself should offer it to me in a gold cup on 

78 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 




GENERA Ii MARION, 
THE SWAMP FOX. 



a gold platter, unless he'd promise first to do 

right by us!" 

" I'm afraid all the people 

here don't feel as strongly 

as you do, Maggie." 

"That's it. That's just 

it !" exclaimed Maggie 

warmly. "There are some 

of them that are at first on 

one side and then on the 

other. When General 

Greene wins, or The Swamp 

Fox or General Sumter does something, then 

these frightened souls are sure enough Whigs ; 
but when Lord Cornwallis hap- 
pens to come out ahead then 
they all begin to sing that there 
isn't any use fighting the red- 
coats. Bah! I just hate such 
folk! They haven't brains to 
be a 'pup all the time or pig all 
the time'!" 
"Maggie!" said her mother reproachfully. 
"I don't care, mother! That's the way I 
79 




LORD CORNWALLIS 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

feel about it! Don't you remember the lesson 
last Sunday! 'I know thy works that thou art 
neither cold nor hot : I would thou wert cold or 
hot. So then because thou art lukewarm and 
neither cold nor hot I will spue thee out of my 
mouth. ' I reckon if the Lord felt as disgusted 
as all that with the Laodiceans, then I've a 
right to feel disgusted with some of the folk 
around these parts !" 

"I am glad you paid such good attention, 
Maggie. I don't just see though, what all that 
has to do with this camp of Tories out in the 
Pine Barrens." 

6 ' They are here to try to get just such people 
as Sarah Tre win's brothers and father to join 
them! And they'll do it too if something isn't 
done to stop them! Oh, why isn't my brother 
Isaiah here!" 

" Because he is with his father in Sumter's 
army." 

"Yes, I know that," replied Maggie, her black 
eyes snapping as she spoke, "and I am right 
glad that they are there, too ! But I wish they 
could be here just now for a little while. Prob- 

80 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

ably these Tories will not leave before they 
have stolen everything on our place !" 

"How many men were in this camp, Mag- 
gie?" 

"I don 't know. I didn't wait to find out. I 
reckon there were ten or twelve. ' ' 

"We can't do anything now, Maggie," said 
Mrs. McBride with a sigh. " 'Tis already 
growing dark and we must get supper — " The 
woman paused and neither her alarm nor that 
of the girl could be concealed when the sound 
of approaching footsteps was heard. In- 
stantly Mrs. McBride and her daughter darted 
to the open doorway and their fright almost be- 
came terror when they discovered a band of 
at least fifteen mounted men that had halted 
a few rods from the humble abode, while a 
single horseman, having left his comrades could 
be seen approaching the house. 

"Bar the door, mother!" exclaimed Maggie, 
her voice tense in her excitement. "We will 
fight them off! We have a musket and a 
rifle—" 

"Hush, child," interrupted Mrs. McBride, 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

tremblingly. "The man looks to me like Cap- 
tain Williams. It is! It is John Williams !" 
she added, her voice breaking in her relief at 
the recognition of one of her distant neighbors. 
1 i Captain Williams, ' ' she exclaimed as the man 
alighted and leading his horse by its bridle, 
drew near the doorway, "I never was so glad 
to see you before in all my life!" 

" Thank you, Mrs. McBride," courteously re- 
sponded the Captain. "Is there anything 
wrong here?" 

"Not here, Captain Williams, but — " 

"Is Hantz or Isaiah at home?" broke in the 
officer quickly. 

"No, sir." 

"It may be then that you can answer my ques- 
tion. I am in great haste. We have had re- 
ports that there is a camp of Tories out here 
in the Pine Barrens. Do you know anything 
about it?" 

"Yes, sir, there is," replied Mrs. McBride. 

"Where is it? How many men are there? 
Can you tell me how to get to it ? " 

"The camp is in the black-jack glade on Ker- 
82 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

on's Creek, and there are at least ten men 
there." 
" Which is the shortest way!" 
"I should say take the straight road — " 
"Mother," broke in Maggie, who in spite of 
her excitement had been silent, as all young 
people in those faraway days were expected 
to be in the presence of their elders, and even 
when the impulsive girl could no longer re- 
frain she still addressed her mother and not 
their visitor, "you know at the fork on the top 
of the hill beyond our branch, there is a path 
to the left that leads into the Butter road. The 
men would do better to take that." 

"Maggie's advice, is better than mine," ad- 
mitted Mrs. McBride. 

"Yes," continued Maggie excitedly, still ad- 
dressing her mother, "and the men should keep 
on till they come to Squire Gorrel's road and 
then go on just beyond the black-jack glade. 
There they must turn to the left and it won't be 
long before they'll find the very place where 
the Tories are." 

83 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"You appear to understand, Maggie," sug- 
gested the officer. 

"Yes, sir." 

"Do you know right where the camp is?" 

Maggie glanced at her mother and then said 
in a low voice, "Yes, sir." 

"Couldn't you yourself show us the way?" 

For an instant all Maggie's enthusiasm ap- 
peared to be gone. To describe the way was 
one thing but to go with them and point it out 
was another and very different affair. 

"We'll promise to protect you," said the offi- 
cer eagerly. "You say it is only two miles 
from here anyway and you will not have to 
stay after we find the camp. I don't think I'd 
ask you to do even this much if I did not know 
that you are Hantz McBride 's girl and that he 
has one son with Sumter — " 

" 'Tis every son he has, Captain Williams!" 
broke in Maggie sharply. "The other five of 
us are not to blame for being girls, are we? 
If we were boys — " 

"But you can help, even if you are girls. 
Will you come, Maggie?" 

84 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

"Yes, sir, if my mother is willing,' ' answered 
Maggie firmly. 

Almost before the excited woman had oppor- 
tunity to consider Maggie's peril, her consent 
had been given and the band, with Maggie rid- 
ing behind Captain Williams, her arms clasped 
tightly about the leader, had disappeared in 
the twilight. 

Hantz McBride's humble home was situ- 
ated between the Alamance and Buffalo Creeks, 
where the distance between the streams was 
about three miles, seven or eight miles from 
the site of Greensborough. 

To the northeast of the McBrides' place ex- 
tended a tract of land four or five miles in width 
and ten or twelve in length, upon which no 
one had ever settled because the soil was thin 
and even the timber upon it was not believed to 
be of much value. In the summer this land was 
covered with a dense growth of grass and wild 
pea vines, upon which the cattle of the nearest 
settlers fed and from it was cut most of the 
supply of fodder for the wintry days. In 
places there were oases that were densely cov- 

85 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

ered with such growths as the elm and sweet 
gum. Alders, wild briers and shrubbery grew 
rank on every side, and grape vines, luxuriant 
with their broad thick leaves, hung like festoons 
from the branches of the trees, so that the gen- 
eral appearance of the neglected region was 
not unlike that of a jungle. Kabbits and wolves 
were to be found in the thickets but if any men 
were reported to be making their abode, even 
for a brief time, within this region, they were 
at once looked upon as suspicious persons by 
those who dwelt near the Pine Barrens, as the 
tract was commonly known in the adjacent parts 
of North Carolina. 

And most of the hardy settlers in that sec- 
tion of the colony were devoted friends of the 
newly-formed nation and the feeling of bitter- 
ness against any who still dared to be loyal to 
King George was even more intense than it 
was against the redcoats themselves. The 
struggle for independence in the Carolinas had 
degenerated largely into what virtually was a 
civil war. Brother frequently was separated 
from brother, father was against son and in- 

86 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

deed it almost seemed as if the ancient prophecy 
had been fulfilled that "a man's foes were they 
of his own household." In all the War of the 
Eevolution no greater heroism was displayed 
than by the patriotic men and women of the 
Carolinas. 

Among all the patriotic families, however, 
there was none more devoted than that of 
Hantz McBride. Together with his only son, 
Isaiah, Hantz had gone to join one of the so- 
called "partizan" bands, while his wife, with 
Maggie, the eldest of the five girls who were 
still at home, were left to be their own pro- 
tectors, as were many of the loyal women in 
North Carolina in these trying days. But Mag- 
gie and her mother had not complained and un- 
til this autumn day in 1781, in spite of numer- 
ous alarms, they had not been molested. It 
was a new and trying experience, therefore, 
when Mrs. McBride stood in the doorway and 
watched Maggie riding away with the little 
band of Whigs. 

Maggie's thoughts, however, seldom turned 
toward the anxious mother who watched her 

87 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

as long as she could be seen, for she herself 
was so excited and fearful that her own predica- 
ment was not for a moment to be forgotten. 

Slowly the little band rode forward. No one 
spoke and a motion by Maggie served to indi- 
cate the turn to the left when the men arrived 
at the fork in the road, and then again just be- 
yond Squire Gorrel's road, where the black- 
jack glade began, she pressed the arm of Cap- 
tain Williams and whispered low, "Here is the 
black-jack, Captain Williams. I — I think 111 
go back now," she tremblingly added. 

" Don't be afraid, Maggie," said the leader in 
a low voice, at the same time raising his hand 
as a signal for the band to halt. "Well pro- 
tect you." 

The men all dismounted and after a brief 
whispered consultation the band once more ad- 
vanced, Captain Williams leading the way and 
holding his horse by its bridle, while Maggie 
McBride still remained seated upon the horse 's 
back. The sun by this time had disappeared 
and the low swinging grape-vines and twisted 
and gnarled branches of the stunted trees as- 

88 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

sumed fantastic shapes in the dim light. Mag- 
gie's heart was beating furiously but her face 
was not once turned from the direction in which 
she was riding. 

Stealthily, steadily, with frequent stops to 
listen and peer into the tangled bushes, the band 
moved forward. The stars appeared in the sky, 
a distant howl of a wolf for a moment startled 
even the hardy leader, but as yet not a sign of 
the promised Tory camp had been seen. A low 
murmur of protest came from two of the men 
but it was quickly checked by a sharp move- 
ment of the leader's hand, and the progress of 
the band remained unbroken. 

" There! There it is! That's the place, 
right yonder by the creek!" Maggie suddenly 
whispered to Captain Williams who was still 
walking beside the horse she was riding. 

Instantly the leader halted his band, and, 
after another hurried consultation, one of his 
men was sent forward to make certain the girl 
was not mistaken. Before he could return or 
report, a shout of laughter came from the very 
place Maggie had indicated. No additional 

89 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

confirmation of her words was required, for 
Captain Williams had found the camp he was 
seeking. 

Silently but with an excitement which could 
not be concealed, the band made ready for an 
assault. The priming in their muskets and 
rifles was carefully inspected and then every 
one waited impatiently for the return of their 
comrade. 

And Maggie McBride was the most excited of 
all. Hastily she slipped from the back of her 
horse and approaching Captain Williams, 
whispered, "I — I think I'll go back now." 

"Yes, yes, child," whispered the captain 
without once glancing at the girl. "Well look 
out for you. Don't be afraid." 

But Maggie was afraid, and aware now that 
not even the leader appeared to be mindful of 
her presence, so intense was the excitement of 
all, she slowly withdrew from the spot, terrified 
by the threatening peril and yet half-angry 
that Captain Williams, apparently forgetful of 
his promise, should almost ignore her in such a 
moment. 

90 



HANTZ McBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

As soon as she had gained the road Maggie 
began to run, bnt she had not gone far before 
she suddenly stopped, and, clapping her hands 
to her head, with difficulty repressed a scream. 
From behind her had come loud shouts of anger 
and these were followed by the reports of guns, 
and then again there were shouts and cries. 

Maggie waited to hear no more. Faster and 
still faster she sped till her breath was coming 
in sobs and the guns no longer could be heard. 
The prolonged howl of a wolf not far away 
once more aroused her terror and as she strove 
to increase the speed at which she was running 
her foot caught in the tangled root of a grape- 
vine and she was thrown headlong to the ground. 
A cry of fear escaped her lips but instantly 
she sprang to her feet and again fled homeward. 
She dared not turn even to glance at the bushes 
and trees. The howl of the wolf had not been 
repeated but her fear of beholding the long, 
gaunt brute leap out from the nearby bushes 
did not leave her. The crumbling stumps of 
fallen trees seemed like the forms of crouching 
men. Her enemies not only might be in pur- 

91 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

suit but also might be awaiting her by the road- 
side. 

Still her feet did not falter. On and still on 
she sped till every step caused her pain and 
there were moments when it seemed to her that 
she could not draw another breath. Her eyes 
were dimmed by more than the darkness and 
her feet seemed to be held back by heavy 
weights, and yet, in spite of her suffering Mag- 
gie did not stop to rest. 

At last in the dim light she beheld her fa- 
ther's clearing before her, but the fresh hope 
which the vision inspired was quickly lost in a 
new terror that seized upon her, for at that 
moment she became convinced that she had 
heard the footfalls of a horse not far behind 
her. Vainly she tried to call for help but her 
voice failed. Even her trembling knees re- 
fused to respond to her attempt to run more 
swiftly. Staggering, stumbling, almost fall- 
ing, at last she gained the doorway of her fa- 
ther's house just as the pursuing horseman 
overtook her. 

"Is that you, Maggie f " 
92 



HANTZ MoBRIDE'S MAGGIE 

It was Captain Williams ' voice and Maggie 's 
terror was gone but she was unable to reply. 

Leaping from his horse the captain lifted the 
nearly exhausted girl in his arms and carried 
her within the house, the door of which Mrs. 
McBride had already opened. It was not long 
before Maggie, in a measure, had recovered 
from her desperate flight, and in her sense of 
security the words of Captain Williams brought 
a smile to her face. 

"Yes, we took every one of the Tories," the 
captain was saying. "Not one of them got 
away and we've sent them all on to Sumter's 
camp. They won't try to come in here again 
very soon. But, Maggie, girl, we'd never have 
found them if it hadn't been for you. You 
have done more this night to help the Old North 
State than any other girl ever did. Just as 
soon as I realized that we had bagged our game 
I looked around for you, but you were nowhere 
to be seen, so I started back to search for you. 
And glad I am to find you here safe and sound. 
I am proud of you, Maggie. You are Hantz 
McBride 's own girl." 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"Yes, and Isaiah's sister/ ' added Maggie 
shyly. "I didn't do any more than any girl in 
the Old North State wonld have done. ' ' 

Captain Williams smiled and made no re- 
sponse as he left the house to take his horse and 
rejoin his men. 



CHAPTEE VI 

TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

A Story of the American Revolution 

EAKLY in the summer of 1781, conditions 
in South Carolina were more like those of 
civil war than a contest by the colonies for their 
freedom. The dash and energy of Lord Corn- 
wallis, the brutality of Colonel Tarleton and 
other invaders and the intrepid daring of Gen- 
eral Greene had intensified the heroism of the 
devoted patriots of the region, even as they also 
appealed strongly to those who still were loyal 
to the king. In many instances families had 
been divided by the issues, with the result that 
brother ofttimes was fighting against brother 
and even sons against their fathers. In all the 
thirteen colonies it is doubtful if instances of 
more intense personal patriotism or heroic de- 
votion to the cause of liberty can be found than 

95 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

were in almost daily evidence in the Carolinas. 

Nor were all the experiences limited to trag- 
edy. Enthusiastic, dashing, daring, — many of 
the boys were as ready for a prank to be played 
on their foes as they were for a desperate ad- 
venture under the leadership of The Swamp 
Fox or Light Horse Harry. It is a pity that 
more of the tales of their heroism are not 
familiar in the regions beyond the borders of 
the states in which they occurred. 

On this particular summer morning in 1781, a 
little band of ten young men, followers of Light 
Horse Harry, were trying to escape from a pur- 
suing band of Tories and redcoats. Familiar 
with the region, for two days they had led 
their enemies a tantalizing and fruitless chase. 
By half-concealed byways, through apparently 
pathless forests, across swamps that threatened 
to swallow up horses and men they had led their 
pursuers, who again and again were almost 
upon them, but never quite able to capture them. 
Still the determined redcoats followed, for in 
all their training they as yet had never learned 
how to give up. The fugitives by this time 

96 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

were in dire need. Neither they nor their 
horses had tasted food for twenty-four hours 
and something must be done or the end of their 
flight was at hand. 

At the head of the band rode Tom Archer. 
Tall, angular, muscular, Tom was alike the 
pride and despair of his comrades. The best 
wrestler of the company, he was also the most 
boyish member of the band. Indeed, in his love 
of fun and seeming disregard of the serious 
phases of their task, more than once he had al- 
most brought about his undoing by some reck- 
less, daredevil escapade. And no one knew 
when next he might break forth into one of his 
boyish or even childish tricks. His courage 
and his strength, however, both of which were 
needed by the little force, served in part to 
counter-balance his recklessness and still he 
was riding at the head of the band, as the men 
in single file followed an obscure pathway that 
led through the woods toward the house of a 
friend. There they hoped to find food and rest 
for themselves as well as for their horses. The 
bugler of the band was missing. He had been 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

shot the preceding day when the pursuers had 
almost overtaken the fleeing patriots. His 
death had sobered, even as it also had strength- 
ened the determination of the little force. But 
Tom Archer had been neither cast down by the 
loss nor influenced in any way to abandon his 
pranks. Perhaps his apparent thoughtlessness 
did more to keep up the spirits of his comrades 
than he or they were aware. 

When they arrived at the "big house' ' they 
were seeking, they were not surprised when they 
were informed that not one of the menfolk was 
at home. Like many others they had ridden 
the country over, summoning their neighbors to 
turn out and protect their homes from the ap- 
proach of the threatening marauders. 

There was no lack of a cordial welcome for 
Tom Archer and his band, even if there were 
no men present to express it. Declining the 
hearty invitation to enter the house and be 
served, they nevertheless gladly took the corn 
meal and bacon which were given them and then 
once more turned into the woods. 

Tom was too hungry, however, to continue far 
98 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

on their flight and when his band had covered 
two miles he called a halt and all speedily dis- 
mounted. A guard first of all was established 
and then the horses, whose heaving flanks and 
distended nostrils were plain evidence of their 
distress, were cared for before the men at- 
tended to their own wants, — and they wanted 
much. Under Tom's direction, stones hastily 
were gathered and in a brief time the corn 
meal and bacon were cooking over a fire in the 
improvised fire-place. 

As the meal progressed, Tom's spirits rose. 
His laugh was the loudest and his song the 
noisiest of all. Nor was he willing to heed 
the appeals of his comrades, who were well 
aware that more than a hearty breakfast was 
required to enable them to escape their dogged 
pursuers, who now for two days steadily had 
been following them. 

Even the songs of Tom Archer abruptly 
ceased, however, when suddenly one of the 
guards was discovered running swiftly toward 
the spot, frantically waving his arms in warning 
as he approached. Instantly every man seized 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

his rifle, leaped to his feet and stood with eyes 
fixed upon the approaching vidette. Silence 
rested over the region. Only the cry of a far- 
away bird in the swamp and the sight of a slowly 
circling buzzard provided any change in the 
scene. 




AMERICAN ARTILLERY DRAWN BY OXEN 



' ' What is it? Speak up, man!" called Tom, 
as the guard drew near. 

"Tories! Eedcoats! ,, gasped the excited 
vidette. 

"How many?" 

"Eighteen." 

1 i Where are they now ? ' 9 

"Just beyond the hill." 

"Coming this way?" 

The breathless guard nodded his head, but 
was unable to speak more. 

100 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

As he turned to his men there was a flash in 
Horn's eyes which in part belied the drawl in 
his voice as he said, "Only eighteen? Is that 
all? I wouldn't mind facing that picayune 
number alone." 

"But Cornwallis is only a half -hour behind, " 
the guard managed to state. 

"How do you know?" 

"Because I reckon I know his advanced guard 
when I see it." 

"Of course," acknowledged Tom quietly. 
"I might have known." 

When he bade his men mount and follow him 
and then led the way toward the old bridge 
across Troublesome Creek, there was consterna- 
tion among Tom's followers and even low mur- 
murs of protest were heard. Was this another 
of Tom's madcap pranks? He was leading his 
men directly toward the place where the Tory 
band would be met, for the only crossing of 
Troublesome Creek in the vicinity was by the 
bridge to which he was advancing. There is 
slight cause for wonder that the young patriots 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

were aghast and almost ready to protest 
openly. 

When the little band drew near the bridge, 
Tom's orders were for all to dismount, hobble 
their horses in the adjacent forest and then 
four men were bidden to strip the bridge of all 
except its two long stringers. Eeluctantly the 
young patriots followed his directions although 
there were outspoken protests that the project 
was another of Tom's madcap and foolish 
pranks. The Tories could cross on the string- 
ers almost as fast as they could dash across a 
standing bridge. "If Tom thought he was go- 
ing to stop the chase by any such trick as that 
he was mightily mistaken, as sure's you're 
born ! ' ' 

Tom, however, manifestly was not disturbed 
by the murmurings. Impatiently he scoured 
the opposite bank and adjacent forest for signs 
of the approach of the enemy force. The 
bridge soon was stripped and only the two long 
stringers spanned the stream. 

"Now I'll show yo'," declared Tom when 
the task was accomplished. Without another 

102 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

word of explanation to his wondering comrades, 
he lifted from the ground a leather sack or 
bag he had brought from the big house where 
they had secured food for their breakfast. 
When first he had strapped this to his saddle 
he had brusquely refused to explain what the 
bag contained and his friends, convinced that 
he was bringing supplies, were content and the 
matter was ignored. 

"Now I'll show yo'!" once more declared 
Tom, as he loosened the cord which fastened 
his bag. 

His manner even more than his words again 
aroused the curiosity of the band and eagerly 
they gathered about him, peering with interest 
into the open bag. For a moment there was 
tense silence as they stared blankly at one an- 
other. The bag was filled with soft soap which 
Tom had obtained at the big house ! 

Quickly, however, the project of the leader 
was perceived and instantly there was a burst 
of loud laughter, Tom's laugh being loudest and 
longest of all. The time was too critical to 
permit of delays, however, and sharply the 

103 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

leader ordered one man to take half the soft 
soap while he himself took the remainder. Both 
were to crawl across the stringers and then 
slowly were to creep backward, thoroughly 
soaping the stringers in front of them as they 
did so. By the time the task was accomplished, 
the watching men on the bank were eager for 
their enemies to test the inviting crossing, which 
to all appearances, was as harmless as it was 
simple. Every man concealed himself behind 
a nearby tree and impatiently awaited the ap- 
pearance of the Tories. 

Nor had they long to wait. "Within a few 
minutes the force of eighteen Tories and red- 
coats rode swiftly to the bank and then dis- 
mounted when they discovered that much of 
the bridge was gone. A hasty consultation fol- 
lowed which the hidden patriots eagerly 
watched. They were excited, but there was no 
betrayal of their presence. Silence deep and 
tense rested over the region, broken only by 
the words of the excited Tory leaders on the op- 
posite shore. 

The result of the conference became manifest 
104 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

when three of the Tories were ordered to take 
all the horses to another crossing, a half-mile 
down the stream. The remaining men were or- 
dered to stay by the leader and cross Trouble- 
some Creek on the stringers. 

"I'll go ahead," declared the leader in tones 
plainly heard by Tom Archer and his men, who 
by this time were in full sympathy with their 
leader's delight. 

"I'll go ahead," repeated the Tory. "All 
yo'-all will have toe do, is toe do just what I 
do." 

Acting at once upon his suggestion the leader 
advanced confidently upon the stringer. Ab- 
ruptly his feet shot out from beneath him, there 
was a wild attempt to clutch the slippery log 
and then, with dignity thrown to the winds, he 
slid sidewise and headforemost into the tur- 
bulent waters below and was carried swiftly 
around the bend in the stream. 

Hastily one of his followers advanced to take 
his place. He took one step and then he too 
slipped and slid into the creek, his wild ges- 
ticulations and wilder yell providing the 

105 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

sole variation from the activities of his prede- 
cessor. 

A third Tory promptly stepped forward, but 
even he was not able to stand in slippery places. 
His feet shot out together, and, flat upon his 
back, the adventurer fell into the deep water 
below and quickly was swept from the sight of 
his recent comrades. 

By this time the hidden patriots were almost 
beside themselves in their glee. Tom Archer 
threw his lanky form upon the ground and with 
tightly clasped arms rolled over and over in 
his delight. "They sure are th' best troopers 
in Car'lina!" he ejaculated breathlessly. 
"That there leader, he told his men toe do 
just what he did and they shore did." 

When the sixth man had followed the leader 
the remainder of the Tory band faltered. 
What was the meaning of the apparent inability 
to walk the stringer? Was there something 
supernatural in its strange power? While the 
remaining part of the band was debating the 
plan to be followed, suddenly Tom Archer and 
his followers, with loud laughter and many 

106 



TOM ARCHER'S DARING 

taunting invitations to "come over," appeared 
on the bank and there was an instant flight for 
cover. Indeed, Tom later declared that the 
ground must have been as slippery as the log 
if one could judge from the suddenness of the 
departure of the Tories. 

But Tom Archer's prank was not yet ended. 
Leaving three of his band to watch the cross- 
ing, with the remaining six he rode swiftly to 
the ford at the place where the three Tories 
were to lead the horses of their band and await 
the coming of their comrades. So swiftly did 
Tom ride that when he arrived at the ford the 
Tories had not yet come. The daring leader 
speedily arranged his force on either side of 
the road so that they were hidden from the sight 
of an observer, and when a few minutes later, 
the Tories arrived and were busily endeavoring 
to drive their horses into the stream, there was 
a sudden attack, with the result that when Tom 
and his men later rejoined their comrades they 
had three prisoners and eighteen additional 
horses to their credit. 

107 



Fighters young Americans want to know 

"I reckon there's more'n one way toe trap 
Tories," Tom drawled. "Some gits 'em with 
guns an' some with swords, but as for me, give 
me soft soap, ev'ry time. That fetches 'em — 
horse, foot an' dragoons. " 



CHAPTER VII 

a pioneer's stratagem 
A Story of the American Revolution 

THESE are great days for sugar making." 
< < That's so, Colonel Harper. If the 
sap runs as well for another week as it has for 
the past, we'll have sugar enough for every 
one in the settlement," said one of the grimy 
assembly. 

"It may be that you will not get a full week, 
sap or no sap." 

< t Why ? What 's wrong, colonel ? ' ' demanded 
the speaker sharply. 

"There's nothing definite, only my runners 
make me a bit uneasy with their reports. I'm 
on my way to Cherry Valley now, for I want to 
satisfy myself that all's well there. I may have 
to call you out, though I'm hoping I sha'n't. 
But there's no telling." 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"You'll find us ready, colonel." 

"That's right. There's nothing like know- 
ing that the men are with me." 

Colonel Harper, huge of form and sturdy of 
stride, waited for no further conversation but 
pushed on through the woods and speedily de- 
parted from the sight of the men who were 
"boiling down the sap" in that spring of 1777 
near the little settlement of Harpersfield, New 
York. Day and night now for a week they had 
busied themselves in the task of making maple 
sugar, a task which not even the disturbing 
rumors of Chief Brant's work among the In- 
dians of the Mohawk Valley and the threatening 
perils of the Eevolution could induce them to 
forsake, unless there came the definite news of 
approaching peril. 

One of the strongest bulwarks of the settle- 
ments had been Colonel Harper himself, who 
had been placed in command of one of the Scho- 
harie forts, with general oversight of other 
rude defenses in the valley which were also 
dignified by the name of * ' forts. ' ' Courageous, 
experienced, watchful, his very presence had 

110 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

been a tower of strength to the settlers, and his 
unexpected appearance among the sugar mak- 
ers had left a vague uneasiness behind him, for 
the colonel's words, and above all his manner, 
had convinced the men that there must be some- 
thing wrong when he was abroad so early in 
the day for the morning sun had not long been 
visible above the tree tops at the time of this 
visit. However, the necessity of feeding the 
fire beneath the great iron pan and the labor 
of cutting fresh wood and collecting the buck- 
ets of sap, speedily recalled the men to their 
tasks, and though the feeling of uneasiness was 
not dispelled, the colonel himself was seldom 
mentioned throughout the morning hours. 

Meanwhile, Colonel Harper had trudged 
sturdily forward until he struck a somewhat 
familiar Indian trail and this he followed un- 
til he gained the summit of the hills, distant 
some seven or eight miles from the sugar camp, 
and began the descent to the valley below. The 
doughty pioneer was troubled far more than he 
had cared to explain to his friends, for the 
rumors were of such a character that he could 

111 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

not doubt their reasonableness. Into what they 
might grow was as perplexing as was the na- 
ture of his redskinned foes. 

That Brant and his emissaries were at work 
he well knew, but just what or where they would 
strike first was a problem which as yet he was 
unable to solve. And the responsibility of the 
defense devolved solely upon himself. 

He had gone part way down the hill and en- 
tered one of the more open spaces in the region 
when he was startled as he beheld a band of 
men swiftly approaching. One glance was suffi- 
cient to convince him that they were Indians and 
only a moment more was required to enable 
him to count fifteen warriors in the band. His 
first impulse was to flee, but quickly realizing 
that such a movement on his part would 
invite an instant attack and pursuit, and aware 
also of his own helplessness in such an event, 
he resolved boldly to continue on his way and 
strive to pass them without unduly arousing 
either their ire or curiosity. 

He drew his great coat about him, which ef- 
fectually concealed the uniform he wore, and 

112 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

steadily pursuing his way, in a brief time came 
face to face with the approaching redmen. His 
fears were not relieved when he recognized the 
leader as an Indian familiarly known as 
' ' Peter,' ' a Mohawk with whom he had fre- 
quently traded at Oquago, before the outbreak 
of the Revolution. Whether or not Peter would 
recognize him was a question upon the solu- 
tion of which his own safety, perhaps his very 
life as well, would depend. 

Drawing his great coat still more closely 
about him and his hat down over his eyes he 
quietly approached the Indians and as he drew 
near he stretched forth his hand as he said, 
"How do you do, brothers?" 

"How," responded Peter, solemnly extending 
his hand and shaking that of the colonel, an ex- 
ample which his companions in turn followed 
with equal solemnity. 

"I'm on a scouting expedition," said Colonel 
Harper, striving to speak unconcernedly, "and 
which way are you bound, brothers?" 

"Down the Susquehanna," responded Peter. 

"Ah?" responded the colonel instantly alert, 
113 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW! 

and yet striving to appear unsuspicious. "To 
Johnstown V 9 

Peter solemnly but vigorously nodded his 
head in reply. 

"Where do you stop for the night?" 

"At Schenevas Creek." 

"At the mouth of it?" 

Again Peter nodded in reply. 

"Be careful you're not seen. You must keep 
a sharp lookout. Good day to you, brothers," 
and again shaking each warrior by his hand, 
the colonel hastened to depart. 

To his great delight he was permitted to pass 
on without delay and he soon became convinced 
that he was not being followed. Whether or 
not he had succeeded in his ruse, he could not 
determine, nor was he entirely satisfied that 
Peter had failed to recognize him. But some 
chances must be taken, he assured himself, and 
as soon as he was persuaded that he had passed 
beyond the hearing of the redmen he instantly 
abandoned the trail and the woods, turned back 
on his way and by a circuitous route arrived at 

114 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

the expiration of two hours at a little settle- 
ment on the Charlotte Eiver. 

Here he found other men also busied in mak- 
ing sugar, but sharply interrupting their occu- 
pation, he bade every one take his gun, provi- 
sions for two days, and be at Evan's Place, a 
little clearing several miles down the stream, 
at four o'clock that very afternoon. 

"And every one of you bring a rope with him, 
too," he added, as he hastily departed, not 
doubting that his words would be obeyed to 
the letter, though he had not fully explained 
his purpose in his order. 

Then, with increasing speed the rugged 
colonel hastened back to the place where he 
had left Ins friends of the morning boiling their 
sap. As soon as he had left his order there he 
hastened to Harpersfield to summon the men 
who were there. 

It was a busy day for the resolute man, but at 
iive o'clock when he arrived at Evan's Place, he 
was rejoiced to find that his every direction 
had been obeyed and when he counted the as- 
sembly he found that fifteen men were there 

115 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

ready to follow him wherever he might lead. 
As this was exactly the same number as the 
warriors in Peter's band, his heart was greatly 
relieved, and as soon as a hasty supper had 
been eaten, he gave the word and the entire 
force followed him as he swiftly set forth on his 
way through the forest. 

The shadows of evening were about them and 
the darkness would soon be over the land, but 
the men were all experienced woodsmen and 
familiar with the region so that the oncoming 
night had no terrors for them. The leafless 
trees swayed and sighed in the wind and an oc- 
casional hawk, startled by the approach of the 
silent band uttered its cry of warning, but 
otherwise no living object was seen. Almost 
like moving shadows they followed the colonel 
as he led the way along the bank of the river 
until at last they gained the high hills across 
which they must move toward the mouth of 
the creek where Peter and his warriors were 
supposed to be encamped. 

More swiftly the band moved now as they 
abandoned the course they had been following, 

116 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

and by midnight they had gained the sloping 
hillside from which a vision of the flats below 
could be obtained. Here they halted and after 
a brief silence, in which Colonel Harper had 
carefully scanned the region before him the 
doughty leader said,, " There they are! You 
can see the smoke of their campfire. Peter 
must have been very sure of himself to have a 
fire. But it's all the better for us, men. Come 
on, we'll soon have them now." 

Once more the men resumed their march. 
Their eyes, accustomed to the dim light, en- 
abled them to pick their way without difficulty 
and when an hour had elapsed they had ar- 
rived at a spot that was not more than five hun- 
dred yards distant from the place they were 
seeking. Here they again halted and Colonel 
Harper said, ' ' The camp is on the other side of 
the creek. ' ' 

" Which means that we'll have to ford it, 
then," suggested one of the men. 

" Exactly. And right here, too." 

Leading the way the colonel stepped boldly 
into the stream, which, swelled by the melting 

117 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

snows, now came well up to his shoulders ; but 
not a man hesitated, and holding their guns 
high above their heads, they waded the deep 
waters and soon all arrived safely on the op- 
posite bank. Neither the cold nor the wetting 
seemed to dampen their ardor, and when Colonel 
Harper satisfied himself that all had safely 
made the difficult passage he turned to his fol- 
lowers and said, "We'll stop here for a bite. 
It'll save time in the end and give us a little 
more strength which we may be glad to have 
within the next hour or two." 

At his word the men seated themselves 
on the fallen trunks of the trees and a hasty 
meal was made of the food every man had 
brought. 

As soon, however, as this duty had been ac- 
complished, the tireless leader once more called 
upon his men to move forward and the advance 
was resumed. But they stepped cautiously now 
and frequently stopped to listen intently and 
assure themselves that their approach had not 
been discovered. No one spoke, but the ex- 
citement was keen and every man was alert. 

118 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

Slowly they moved forward in the dim light un- 
til at last they had arrived at a spot which they 
were confident was only a few yards from the 
camping-place of Peter and his men. 

The very silence itself was eloquent now and 
every man was aware that his heart was beating 
furiously. Still no one flinched or faltered. 
At last Colonel Harper raised his hand in token 
of his desire for the men to halt, and then in a 
low whisper he bade them remain where they 
were until he had moved forward alone. In a 
moment he disappeared from the sight of his 
comrades, and crouching and creeping he stole 
silently forward until he plainly could see the 
men in the camp. 

In spite of his anxiety he smiled grimly as he 
perceived that no guard had been established 
and that all fifteen of the warriors were sleep- 
ing, each with his feet toward the fire which was 
burning in the center of the circle. Truly Peter 
must have been confident to abandon all precau- 
tions in this wise. In one place, outside the 
circle, the colonel perceived that all the guns 
and weapons of the Indians had been placed to- 

119 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

gether, and quickly deciding to act without re- 
turning to his companions he crept softly for- 
ward and soon gained a position from which 
it was possible for him to reach the guns. With 
tense nerves and with every sense alert and 
yet moving almost as if he were a machine, 
Colonel Harper seized the weapons one by one 
and withdrawing carried them to a spot farther 
within the woods. It was a long and difficult 
task, but at last it was accomplished and then 
the colonel cautiously returned to his anxious 
and impatient followers. 

In a few whispered words he explained what 
he had done, and then said, "Have your guns 
and ropes ready and move up. Surround the 
camp and don't, for your lives, let a sound be 
heard. Now, then, when I give the word, do 
just what I tell you. ' ' 

Noiselessly the men advanced and when he 
was satisfied that they had not been heard and 
that each must have gained the position to 
which he had been assigned, the colonel stepped 
forward into the circle of the sleeping Indians 
and touching one with his foot said, "Come! 

120 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

It's time for men of business to be on their 
way!" 

The startled warrior leaped to his feet, an ex- 
ample which all his companions speedily fol- 
lowed. The crucial moment and the testing 
time had come. Still apparently undismayed 
the colonel said as the redmen rushed upon 
him: " Don't stir! You're covered by my 
men. We 've got your guns ! ' ' 

For a moment the dismayed Peter and his 
warriors glanced about them. On every side 
were the hardy pioneers standing with their 
rifles pointing in a direction which no self- 
respecting Indian could approve. They were 
indeed caught in the trap and to struggle would 
be worse than useless. 

Instantly taking advantage of the confusion, 
the colonel called to his followers, ' ' Five of you 
come in with your ropes and tie the hands of 
these men ! The rest of you stay where you are 
and if you see the least sign of treachery, you 
know what to do!" 

The cowed redmen made no further resistance 
and in a brief time the hands of every one had 

121 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

been tied securely behind bis back. The very 
boldness of the attack had accomplished what 
the colonel had most desired and that too with- 
out the loss of a man or a drop of blood being 
shed. 

"Now, I want five of you to come with me and 
the rest of you go home." 

"Where do we go, colonel ?" 

"To Albany. I shall deliver these men to 
the authorities there and they can do with them 
what they like. ' ' 

The march was at once begun, but when the 
light of the rising sun was upon them, Peter, 
who for a time had been steadily regarding his 
captor, suddenly said, "Huh! Me know um 
now ! Me know Colonel Harper ! ' ' 

"Glad you do, Peter," replied Colonel 
Harper, with a laugh. 

"Why not know um yesterday?" 

"Have to use some policy, Peter, when one is 
living in such times as these." 

"Me find um so," responded Peter, and then 
he became silent nor did he speak again until 

122 



A PIONEER'S STRATAGEM 

he and his comrades had been delivered to the 
Albany soldiers. 

But Johnstown had been saved from destruc- 
tion, and the quick decision, daring and deter- 
mination of rugged Colonel Harper had accom- 
plished the result, which in times of peril or of 
peace marks the man of power and makes him 
a leader of men, because he is worthy to lead. 



CHAPTER VIII 

THE " NON-RESISTANCE' ' OF RICHARD HILL 

A Story of the Quaker Colony 

THOU wilt be read out of the meeting, 
Friend Richard.' ' 

"For what?" 

"Thou knowest why better than I can tell 
thee. Even if John Evans be all that thou 
hast said, his evil-doing does not warrant thee 
in resisting." 

"But have I not fulfilled the demand?" re- 
plied Richard Hill, his eyes twinkling in a man- 
ner that seemed to belie the somber garb in 
which he was clad. "John Evans smote us on 
the right cheek, and now we have turned the 
other cheek to him and he has smitten that also. 
Now tell me, Friend Samuel, having done that, 
are we not free from the demands of the law?" 

Young Samuel Preston smiled, but shook his 
124 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 



head as he replied, "Nay, Friend Kichard, I fear 
me thou hast the letter, but not the spirit. ,, 

"Thou shalt decide between us, Friend Wil- 
liam," said Eichard Hill, quickly turning to the 
third member of the little group that was stand- 
ing together on a corner of Chestnut Street, in 
Philadelphia, one summer morning in the year 
1706. "Is there anything in this project of 
mine that 'the meeting ' can justly complain 
off" 

Young William Fishbourne, clad in a sober 
garb that was the counterpart of those worn by 
his two companions, laughed lightly as he re- 
plied, "I think not, after it has been done. 
Friend Eichard. It might not be wise to con- 
sult 'the meeting' before it is tried, however." 

"Thou wilt go, Friend William V demanded 
Eichard Hill eagerly. 

"Yea," responded William Fishbourne, "I 
will join thee, if Friend Samuel will also give 
his consent." 

Both young men turned eagerly to Samuel 
Preston, and Eichard said, "Now, Friend 
Samuel, we wait only for thy word. Thou 

125 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

knowest my sloop, Philadelphia, is the fleetest 
craft on the Delaware. "We shall not have to 
* resist eviP for I verily believe 'the evil' will 
never overtake us. ,, 

For a moment Samuel Preston hesitated. 
"It is enjoined upon us to 'be in subjection to 
the powers that be,' " he suggested. 

"Thou hast spoken truly,' ' responded Eich- 
ard, quick to perceive the hesitation of his friend 
and convinced now that he was almost won. 
"But even thou would 'st not pay this powder 
tax to support these sons of Belial in their 
purpose to shed blood !" Richard's manner 
was as solemn as his words, but his black eyes 
apparently had another language all their own, 
for as he glanced at William the latter laughed 
and at once joined in the attempt to persuade 
their companion to join them in their expedi- 
tion. 

Before their united pleas Samuel Preston at 
last yielded and said, "I will go with thee, but 
I greatly fear me what 'the meeting' may do." 

"Thou hast no need to be fearful, Friend 
Samuel ! ' ' replied Richard eagerly. ' ' Even thy 

126 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

father, who is the strictest of us all, will not 
blame thee if when we return thou canst in- 
form him that the ' powder tax' is ' buried in 
the midst of the sea. ' ' ' 

"I fear me there may be other things also 
* buried in the sea' before the day is done," 
responded Samuel gloomily. 

"Not the Philadelphia and her crew!" 
laughed Kichard. "Did I not tell thee she is 
the fleetest sloop on the Delaware?" 

"But powder and shot are fleeter still." 

Eichard laughed again in his confidence as 
he said, "Have no fear, Friend Samuel. I will 
show thee what the Philadelphia can do in ' re- 
sisting not evil.' They must catch us before 
they can make us ' resist. ' About the sixth hour 
then, I shall expect you at the wharf." 

"We will be there, Friend Eichard," said 
William quickly. 

The year 1706 was a troublous one for the 
Friends who had shared in William Penn's 
"Holy experiment" and had crossed the sea 
from England to make their homes in the new 
world. Philadelphia itself had prospered mar- 

127 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

yelously and it is said that within two years 
after its founding it contained three hundred 
and fifty-seven dwelling houses, many of which 
were of brick, or " framed structures. ' ' The 
three thousand souls that had sailed up the 
Delaware within the first year of the existence 
of the city of brotherly love, had been joined 
by many more, and already Philadelphia was 
giving promise of the great city it was destined 
to become. Laid out after the plan of "a 
checkerboard,' ' its "squares" remain unto this 
day and the very names of the streets, sug- 
gested by the prevalence of the beautiful chest- 
nut and spruce, walnut and pine trees that were 
growing in luxuriance when Penn first set foot 
on the shore, are still unchanged. Within its 
confines no " witches' ' were hanged, no Baptists 
were whipped or banished, and in most ways the 
town was true to its name. 

Here, too, the Quakers prospered. Sober, 
earnest, industrious, their wealth began to ac- 
cumulate, and, like all who succeed, their very 
success made them the envy of their neighbors, 
who were less sober and less peaceable than 

128 



THEJ "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

they. Almost the only charge that was made 
against them was that they were inclined to 
be a trifle overshrewd in their business dealings, 
but of their integrity no suspicion was enter- 




WILLIAM PENN 



tained. Their lands they purchased from their 
Indian owners, and though they gave what the 
redmen considered an " equivalent' ' in the ex- 
change, stories were current that in "the walk," 
by which the lands were measured, the peace- 

129 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

ful Quakers were somewhat inclined to take 
advantage of their childlike neighbors. "The 
walk" was a term by which the measure of the 
exchange was determined, — the land contained 
within the limits of the distance a man or a 
party of men could walk during certain hours. 
At one time, when an especially large tract of 
land was desired, the friendly, but shrewd 
Quakers employed three men, known for their 
strength and endurance, to do their "walking' ' 
for them, and it is said that the walkers covered 
eighty-four miles between "sunup" and "sun- 
down," though two soon afterward died from 
the effect of their violent exertions. That the 
Indians themselves complained, declaring that 
those men were not walking but running, is 
perhaps only natural, and yet the cordial rela- 
tions that existed between the Quakers and their 
redskinned neighbors can be judged by the fact 
that for more than seventy years after the 
founding of Philadelphia its inhabitants did not 
suffer from the horrors of Indian warfare— a 
claim which cannot be made for any other set- 
tlement in the new world. 

130 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

The laws and principles by which the people 
were to be governed were also in marked con- 
trast to those of other colonies. In Massa- 
chusetts, the laws indicated fifteen crimes for 
any one of which the penalty was death. In 
Philadelphia the death penalty was inflicted 
only for murder or high treason ; and it was in 
the Quaker settlement too, that first was de- 
clared the principle, which nearly a hundred 
years afterwards the struggling little nation 
adopted as its own — "that government exists 
for the sake of the people and not the people for 
the sake of the government. ' ' 

But perhaps more than for this prosperity the 
peaceful Quakers were disliked for their " ob- 
stinacy' ' in refusing to bear arms or even to 
be taxed for the support of an army. And when 
young John Evans, only twenty-six years of 
age, an officer of the Queen's household, came in 
1704 to be Deputy Governor of the province, 
and found himself unable to argue the peaceable 
Quakers out of their principles and could not 
call either men or money from them for the 
force which the Queen had ordered him to raise 

131 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

in Pennsylvania for the war which England 
at that time was waging with France and Spain, 
his anger became as intense as was the prejudice 
against him on the part of the Friends. For the 
youthful governor, in the language of the times, 
was a "graceless scamp," and in company with 
the no less "graceless'' son of William Penn 
himself apparently found great delight in 
shocking the sober Quakers by his escapades. 
We are informed that he was "not deficient in 
wit nor talents," but was so lacking in experi- 
ence and sympathy for the sedate and quiet 
ways of the Friends, that the antagonism be- 
tween them daily increased. 

Upon finding himself unable to secure money 
or men for the army by peaceable means, he 
resorted to a trick that almost aroused a public 
revolt. One day (it was by the governor's sug- 
gestion) apparently terrified runners appeared 
in Philadelphia shouting that "Spanish gun- 
boats were in the Delaware and were surely 
about to attack the town. ' ' The terror-stricken 
people, some of whom cast their money and 
valuables into wells or concealed them in other 

132 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

hiding-places so securely that afterwards they 
were not able to find all of them, still refused to 
abandon their principles of non-resistance. 

When later it was discovered that the alarm 
had been a mere subterfuge by which the gov- 
ernor hoped to frighten the people into taking 
up arms in the defense of their homes, and 
having once taken them, he believed he could 
induce the men to retain them, their anger be- 
came still more intense. 

The baffled young governor soon showed the 
Friends that he had transferred his interest 
to the " Lower counties' ' and that the people 
of Philadelphia were to expect no favors from 
his hands. As a last and most exasperating 
resort, he authorized the Assembly at New 
Castle to erect a fort at that place. It mat- 
tered little that a fort so located could be of 
slight use for the safety of the two provinces, 
for safety was not the purpose of John Evans. 
An order was issued that vessels passing the 
fort were to deliver to the soldiers "a half- 
pound of powder to every ton of the ship's 
measurement. ' ' 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

It was a tax against which the provincialists 
indignantly rebelled, but protest and remon- 
strance were alike in vain. The Quakers pro- 
tested not only against the tax but also against 
the violation of their own well known princi- 
ples; and when on the summer morning in 
1706, referred to at the beginning of this story, 
Richard Hill, Samuel Preston and William 
Fishbourne met on Chestnut Street and the 
scheme which Richard presented for evading 
or overcoming the obnoxious demand of the 
governor was discussed, the intense feeling in 
their own hearts was not unlike that which 
possessed many in the Quaker town. 

And a part of Richard Hill's scheme was to 
sail down the Delaware to New Castle, land at 
the fort and demand the privilege of passing 
without paying the obnoxious tax, and if the 
commander of the fort should refuse permis- 
sion then they were to sail on without it, con- 
fident in the ability of the little sloop to out- 
strip any craft that might be sent in pursuit 
of her. The feat was to be repeated until other 
vessels, made bolder by her daring, also should 

134 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

refuse to obey the demand, and the detested 
law would either die of its own futility or would 
be repealed under the indignation of the people 
that would not fail to be aroused. 

The danger that the guns of the fort might 
be turned upon the daring little sloop appar- 
ently was neither ignored nor feared by Richard 
and William, when early on the morning that 
followed the interview on Chestnut Street, they 
found Samuel awaiting their arrival at the 
wharf at the foot of Market Street. Samuel, 
however, made only brief responses to their 
greeting and it was evident from his manner 
that he had slight liking for the project of his 
more daring and muscular comrades. 

In a brief time the Philadelphia, before the 
strong breeze that was blowing directly down 
the Delaware, was bounding over the water, with 
Richard at the helm and his two friends serv- 
ing as his crew. The exhilaration of the morn- 
ing and the swiftness of the little sloop, for a 
time seemed to relieve even Samuel of his fears, 
while Richard and William were both plainly 
elated as well as excited as the hours passed. 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Long before noon they perceived the little fort 
before them on the Delaware shore. The wind 
by this time had died away until only a gentle 
breeze was blowing and the progress of the 
sloop consequently was much less swift. 

"We will land above the fort," said Eichard 
as he changed the course of his vessel. ' ' Two of 
us will go ashore. How is it, Friend Samuel, 
wilt thou be the one to beard the commander 
with me!" 

"Nay, nay," responded Samuel quickly. 
' ' There is slight taste for me in such a venture. 
I will remain and guard thy sloop whilst thou 
art gone." 

Eichard laughed lightly as he turned to his 
other companion and said, "How is it with 
thee, Friend William?" 

"I will go with thee," responded William 
eagerly. " * Whither thou goest I will go.' " 

"If they keep ye both in the fort what shall 
I do with thy sloop?" inquired Samuel nerv- 
ously. 

"They will not lay hands on either of us!" 
said Eichard. 

136 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

"But if they do?' ' 

' ' Then thou must sail back to town. ' ' 

" There is not much wind," suggested Sam- 
uel, glancing nervously at the clouds as he 
spoke. 

" There will be as much for thee as for thy 
pursuers, and the little Philadelphia will not 
loiter by the way. ' ' 

"But the guns of the fort may — " 

"Have no fear for that ! ' ' interrupted Eichard 
lightly. "We shall be back with thee before 
thou hast fairly known we were gone." 

The sloop was run in alongside a rude little 
dock, the sail was hastily lowered and then 
Bichard and William at once made their way to 
the fort and were quickly admitted into the 
presence of Commander French, who was in 
charge of the little fortress and the few sol- 
diers that manned it. 

"I have come to tell thee," began Bichard 
boldly, "that my little sloop is properly cleared 
and that we have no powder for thee. ' ' 

"You have!" demanded the surprised and 
angry commander. "You might better have 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

told Governor Evans, for he left here on horse- 
back less than an hour ago. ' ' 

" As he is not here, I will tell thee," responded 
Eichard. 

' 'That's good of you!" retorted the angry 
commander. "Now let me tell you one thing, 
— you'll pay your powder tax or you won't 
pass the fort!" 

"I have no powder." 

"Then you'll not pass." 

"I tell thee I shall pass and thou hast no 
right to try to stop me !" Richard's voice was 
low, but his black eyes flashed as he glanced at 
William. 

"I'll sink your tub if you dare to try it," 
roared the commander, "I'll send you and your 
sloop to the bottom of the Delaware ! You pay 
your powder tax or you sink! That's plain 
enough for even a whining Quaker to under- 
stand, isn 't it f " 

"I understand thee, but thou hast no 
right to stop my sloop and I shall not heed thy 
taunting words," replied Richard quietly as 
he and William at once turned away from the 

138 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

commander, who was almost beside himself 
with rage, and set forth on their return to the- 
sloop. 

"Will he do what he threatens, Friend Eich- 
ard?" inquired William in a low voice. 

"I do not know. Dost thou desire to sail 
back?" 

1 i Not if thou art planning to sail on. ' ' 

"Did I not tell thee what I came for?" re- 
plied Eichard stoutly. 

"Surely, Friend Eichard, I know thee too 
well to believe thou wilt turn back now. And 
I will go with thee. Shall we tell Friend 
Samuel?" 

For a moment Eichard hesitated and then 
said, "Nay, I do not believe there is danger, 
and Friend Samuel knew when we set forth 
what our plan was to be. He is not so bold 
as a lion, 'tis true, but still he is no coward." 

In a brief time the two young men were 
once more on board the sloop, and, merely ex- 
plaining to Samuel that the result of their visit 
had not been altogether satisfactory, they 
quickly hoisted the sail and started for the mid- 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

die of the river. The wind was so light now that 
there was only a slight ripple under the bow 
and no one on board spoke except when some 
direction was given by the skipper, whose face 
was strangely set in its expression. 

As soon as the Philadelphia had gained the 
midstream her course was changed and she was 
headed directly down the river. The eyes of 
the men on board were seldom turned away 
from the little fort, even Samuel unconsciously 
sharing in the suppressed excitement. 

Slowly the sloop moved down the stream and 
several minutes elapsed without a sign of life 
manifesting itself on the shore. A smile of 
confidence crept over Eichard's face and a 
gleam of exultation appeared in William's eyes 
as he glanced meaningly at his friend. Com- 
mander French's anger had manifested itself 
in loud talk and there was nothing to be feared. 
Eichard 's low laugh was understood by William. 

Suddenly a puff of smoke appeared above the 
walls of the fort, quickly followed by the re- 
port of a gun, and a ball fell into the water 
only a few yards from the sloop. For a mo- 

140 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

ment the young sailors stared blankly at one 
another. 

" Shall we go back, Friend Samuel V 9 inquired 
Eichard in a low voice. 

"Nay," replied Samuel quietly, "I told thee 
I would go with thee. ' ' 

"They will not hit us," said Eichard more 
confidently. "They are trying to frighten — " 

His bold words were interrupted by another 
shot and instantly there was a commotion on 
board as the ball tore a hole in the mainsail. 

For a moment the skipper seemed to hesi- 
tate and then his face expressed his determina- 
tion as he rigidly held the sloop to her course. 
Despite the fact that the fort was plainly de- 
termined to sink, if it could not stop, the daring 
party, there now was to be no turning back. 
Breathless with excitement the young men 
waited for the next shot, but several minutes 
passed and not a sound was heard. 

"They are coming after us!" exclaimed 
Samuel excitedly. "There's a yawl and ^ve 
men are in it." 

No one responded to his startling words for 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

all three could now see the boat approaching 
from the fort. It was rowed by four men who 
were driving it forward with powerful strokes 
of their oars. 

Oh, for a breath of wind! Eichard glanced 
eagerly toward the sky, but there was slight 
promise of aid from that quarter. Steadily, 
swiftly the yawl drew nearer and soon the face 
of Commander French, who was seated in the 
stern, could be plainly discerned. Non-resist- 
ance on board the sloop now was more than an 
article in the Quaker creed, for there were no 
means of defense to be had. 

The strokes of the men in the yawl increased 
in power as they drew nearer the sloop and in 
a brief time it was alongside. 

Quickly the commander, his face purple with 
rage, clambered on board, while the yawl, with 
the men resting on their oars, was slipped back 
and made fast to the stern of the Philadelphia. 

"What do you mean by disobeying my or- 
ders V 9 shouted the furious commander as he 
faced Richard. "I told you I would sink you! 
I told you — " 

142 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

"Will it please thee to come below f" inter- 
rupted Richard calmly. 

For a moment Commander French stared 
at the young sailor and then without a word 
followed him as he led the way to the cabin. 

On deck no one spoke, and in a brief time 
Richard returned and calmly passed directly to 
the stern where he had at once cast off the yawl. 
"Commander French is to remain with us," he 
said, ' * and you are to row directly back to the 
fort." 

"Why doesn't he come and give his order 
himself ? ' ' growled one of the men suspiciously. 

"Do as I tell thee !" retorted Richard sternly. 

It was evident the men were not entirely sat- 
isfied, but the word was obeyed and the yawl 
was soon speeding toward the fort. Richard 
watched it in silence until it was well on its 
way, and then, turning to his friends he said, 
"Commander French is a prisoner in my 
cabin. ' ' 

"Friend Richard!" protested Samuel trem- 
blingly, "this is too much! This is sharing in 
bloodshed! I am sure the meeting will not — " 

143 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"Friend Samuel," interrupted Bichard 
sharply, "this is not thy doing. There was no 
other way to treat this son of Belial, but thou 
shalt not be made to answer for it. If only 
we had some wind! Ah, there is a breath! 
'Tis coming! 'Tis come!" he added exultingly 
as the sail filled and the sloop began to draw 
ahead. 

"Yea, Friend Kichard," said William, "but 
there is another sloop profiting by it also." 

Behind them they saw that a large sloop, as 
William declared, had started from the fort, 
and soon there was no question that it was in 
pursuit of them. That Governor John Evans 
was on board they did not know, though he was 
indeed there, having returned to the fort and 
hastily started in pursuit of the Philadelphia 
when the men in the yawl had returned with 
their tale. 

Under the freshening breeze every inch of 
canvas was crowded on by the determined 
young Quakers, but the rent in the mainsail 
prevented them from drawing away from their 
pursuers. The Philadelphia was doing nobly, 

144 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

however, and the distance between the boats 
was well maintained, and when an hour had 
elapsed the chase was apparently no nearer its 
end. 

On and still on sped pursued and pursuer 
until another hour was gone and then Richard 
steered his sloop into the little harbor at 
Salem where he knew he would be in the midst 
of Friends who might be friends indeed to 
Friends in need. 

But even while the Philadelphia was being 
made fast to the dock the pursuing sloop ap- 
peared in the harbor, and Richard was aware 
that the chase was not yet ended. 

Certain of the Friends were quickly informed 
of the plight in which he and his companions 
were involved, and they at once departed in 
search of Lord Cornbury, Governor of the Jer- 
seys, who by chance was in Salem at that very 
time. 

The three young men, however, remained on 
the dock with Commander French, whom previ- 
ously they had released from the cabin, and 
when the pursuing sloop drew alongside and 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

they perceived John Evans himself on board, 
the face of every one became pale, though that 
of Samuel Preston was whitest of all. 

Before any trouble could be made, however, 
Governor Cornbury himself appeared, and to 
him each party recited its story. The governor, 
who was far from being popular in the colony, 
listened with increasing impatience until all 
had been told and his own questions had been 
answered; then turning to the three young 
Quakers he said angrily, "A pother on the lot! 
Ye make me more trouble with your ' non-re- 
sistance ' and your broadbrims than an army 
with banners! This time ye chance to be in 
the right, but see to it that ye make no further 
disturbance !" 

Then turning to the youthful governor, he 
said sharply, "If they had bidden thee tarry 
at Jericho 'til thy beard was grown, perhaps our 
troubles here would have been less. I am the 
governor of the Jerseys and Vice-Admiral of 
the Delaware, and no assembly at New Castle 
can impose taxes on our people without first 
consulting me ! I have the right to remit fines 

146 



THE "NON-RESISTANCE" OF RICHARD HILL 

and pardon all offenses against the laws, and I 
declare that this powder tax shall be stopped! 
Now go, and see to it that ye all go in peace, 
for another time I shall not be so easy. ' ' 

Amidst the jeers of the people assembled 
at the dock, Governor Evans, angered and 
chagrined, sailed away for the city of brotherly 
love, and he was soon followed by the Philadel- 
phia and her crew. No further trouble oc- 
curred on the voyage and when Eichard, Wil- 
liam and Samuel arrived in the town, they 
speedily discovered that "the meeting" had 
no fault to find with them, for their unique 
method of "Non-Besistance" had defeated the 
powder tax, and the fort at New Castle from 
that day ceased to be a menace to the naviga- 
tion of the Delaware. 



CHAPTER IX 



DEFENDING THE EOET 

A Story of the War of 1812 

THE first year of the War of 1812. had 
broken over the land. The country was 
poorly prepared for the straggle which fol- 
lowed. There were 
foes to face who had 
been trained in the 
wars with Napo- 
leon, while the con- 
trol of the sea 
rested with the na- 
tion against which 
we were contending. 
The Indian tribes 
had been aroused 
by Tecumseh and 
zachary TAYLOR his brother, the 

148 




DEFENDING THE FORT 

prophet, who had appealed to them to drive 
the new nation from the land which had been 
held for generations by the redmen. 

It was now September, following the declara- 
tion of the war. Young Zachary Taylor, hav- 
ing arrived at the mature age of twenty-two, 
was made a 
captain in the 
army of the 
United States. 
He was to serve 
under General 
William Henry 
Harrison, who 
had been a dar- 
ing fighter on 
the frontier, 
and was com- 
monly known GENERAL HARRISON 

as Tippecanoe in memory of the battle he had 
won not long before from the followers of 
Tecumseh. 

Zachary was a wiry, powerful boy, always 
ready for a " rough and tumble" and a share 

149 




FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



in the struggles that were part of the pioneer 
life. In spite of his lack of years he soon 
proved himself to be a dashing leader and 
his men gloried in the daring of the young 
officer. 

The boyish captain was placed in command 
of the little garrison of Fort Harrison in Ohio. 
There he speedily discovered that all his cour- 
age and resources would be required if the 
place was to be held. 

Not many days passed after the arrival of 
the youthful captain before four hundred and 

fifty painted Miamis and 
warriors from neighbor- 
ing tribes appeared in 
the vicinity of the fort. 
None of the Indians had 
been more thoroughly 
aroused by Tecumseh 
and his brother, The 
Prophet, than these sav- 
ages who now were con- 
vinced of their ability to 
overcome the defenders of Fort Harrison. 

150 




TECUMSEH 



DEFENDING THE FORT 




Within the fort there were many who be- 
lieved, as did the Indians, that the place must 
speedily surrender. Only 
fifty soldiers were there 
to defend it and of these 
only twelve were fit for 
service. For weeks these 
men had been doing 
their utmost to fight 
back the encroaching 
savages and now every 
man was well nigh ex- 
hausted. Indeed, the 
fort had become the refuge of the settlers of the 
entire region. Their homes had been burned, 
their cattle stolen, their crops burned or taken 
and most of the people were in a pitiful plight 
when at last they succeeded in making their way 
within the defenses of Fort Harrison. Chills 
and fever were rife and many of the inmates 
were showing the ravages of this disease. The 
presence of a dozen or more women and chil- 
dren added to the peril of the assembled 
people. 

151 



"THE prophet' 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

For several days the garrison and the in- 
mates had been expecting an attack. Although 
Indians frequently were reported as being near, 
as yet no hostile band had shown itself. The 
anxiety of the distressed people increased be- 
cause of the uncertainty of the time of the at- 
tack, which every one confidently believed was 
about to be made. 

Nor did their expectations deceive them. 
Suddenly at eleven o 'clock at night, the painted 
Miamis rushed upon the fort which they ex- 
pected speedily to fall. Advancing according 
to their custom with hideous yells and shaking 
fire-brands as they leaped from behind one tree 
to another, they inspired the very feeling within 
the fort which they hoped to arouse. The ex- 
citement was keen, but the terror of the people 
was noisily manifest. There were cries from 
the little children and piteous pleas from their 
mothers to the defenders to protect them from 
the onrush of the Indian warriors. 

Already the Miamis had driven away the cat- 
tle from the homes of the settlers and devas- 
tated the region before they surrounded the 

152 



DEFENDING THE FORT 

fort. The helpless garrison had been unable 
to check the marauding band. And now the 
efforts of the redmen were all concentrated in 
the wild attack which they were hopeful would 
so alarm the garrison that the defense speedily 
would be broken. 

From every side the redmen were advancing 
and their wild whoops and cries increased the 
terror of the women and children. The howl- 
ing, painted Indians appeared to be everywhere 
at once, although at the same time they were 
doing their utmost either to keep themselves 
outside the range of the rifles of the soldiers, or 
to secure hiding-places behind some stumps 
that would enable them to use their rifles and 
at the same time shield them from the guns of 
the pioneers. The adjacent forest almost 
seemed to be alive with the painted Miamis 
and yet it was extremely difficult for any of 
the soldiers to find a direct target at which he 
could fire. 

Wherever one glanced in the dim light he 
was confident he saw a prowling Indian. A 
head would appear for a moment just above a 

153 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

fallen trunk of a tree and then would disap- 
pear so quickly that it was impossible for the 
eager soldier to fire before his enemy like a 
flash would vanish from his sight. 

Within the fort, young Captain Zachary ap- 
parently was the only man to retain his cour- 
age. Of the twelve men who were able to as- 
sist in the defense two already had climbed the 
palisades and fled into the surrounding forests. 
This cowardly action, which was plainly visible 
to the terrified women and children, increased 
their alarm. The cries redoubled and the pite- 
ous appeals of the women for protection became 
louder and longer. 

Soon after the Miamis first appeared they 
succeeded in setting fire to the lower block-house 
near the main defense. The blaze increased 
the fears of the terrified refugees. In a brief 
time, driven by the wind, the blaze swept for- 
ward until the fort itself was threatened. 

Meanwhile young Captain Taylor undis- 
mayed, stationed a line of men and women with 
buckets to fight the flames. In the weird light 
of the flames these defenders assumed fan- 

154 



DEFENDING THE FORT 

tastic shapes as the buckets speedily were 
passed from one hand to another and then were 
dashed by the young captain, or one of his men, 
upon the roaring fire. Fortunately a well had 
been dug inside the stockade which provided 
the water required by the garrison and now 
was sufficient to fill all the buckets in the line. 

It was a sight which no one that saw it ever 
was able to forget. The dancing Indians in 
the forests, the leaping fires on the roof of the 
block-house, the frantic mothers striving to 
calm their terrified children, and the men work- 
ing desperately to extinguish the flames, com- 
bined in producing a scene that was typical of 
the experiences of a time that has long since 
gone. 

Above the children's cries and the reports of 
the guns the wild yells of the savages continu- 
ally were heard. It was an appalling struggle 
and even the brave young commander might 
well have despaired. 

At last Captain Zachary was convinced that 
even the desperate efforts of his followers to 
put out the fires were vain. They had done all 

155 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

that men could do. Some of them in their ef- 
forts became targets for the bullets of unseen 
enemies. A few of them had forgotten their 
own sufferings and were struggling desperately 
to put out the fire and protect those who were 
dependent upon the efforts of the little band. 
It was then that Captain Zachary ordered his 
men to abandon the attempt. 

"You must tear off a part of that roof 1" he 
shouted. " That's our only hope. Who will 
come with me?" 

Without glancing behind him the young offi- 
cer darted forward and ripped one of the boards 
from the blazing roof. His example was con- 
tagious and in an incredibly brief time the dar- 
ing men had taken away the portion of the burn- 
ing roof indicated by their leader. 

"All of you," ordered Captain Zachary, 
"stay here ! The women will pass you buckets 
and you must keep the boards wet. It is our 
only hope. If the other buildings once get on 
fire the redskins will get us, every one ! ' ' 

When, however, the roof had been torn away, 
an open space, about eighteen feet, was left 

156 



DEFENDING THE FORT 

by which the Miamis might force their way into 
the block-house. Upon this open space the fire 
of six men was to be concentrated. And the 
Indians were not slow in discovering the break, 
when suddenly a band of the Miamis darted 
forward doing their utmost to force their way 
into the place which had been left open. 

The deadly fire of the desperate men, how- 
ever, soon compelled the Indians to abandon 
their attempt. They retreated only to return 
until at last even the boastful Miamis were un- 
able to retain a foothold within the stockade. 

When the light of the early morning dawned, 
according to their custom the warriors became 
less active. There had been many losses in 
their ranks and their respect for the determined 
young leader had greatly increased. Even the 
eager chieftains, Stone Eater and Negro Legs, 
were unable to rally their braves. It was not 
long before the entire band withdrew and the 
little fort, through the courage of its boyish 
captain, was still standing. 

Captain Zachary, however, was well aware 
that although the fort had been saved, it was not 

157 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

yet safe. The attack had been withdrawn only 
for a time. With the coming of the following 
night doubtless the determined warriors would 
renew their efforts. The strength of the gar- 
rison had been heavily drawn upon, for several 
of the most reliable men had been so severely 
wounded that they were in no condition to fight 
on. Besides, the supply of ammunition was 
low. The crafty Miamis soon would speedily 
discover the plight of Fort Harrison. The boy 
officer also was well aware that the Indians 
would try to prevent the defenders from es- 
caping. Captain Zachary, however, was too 
well versed in the ways of the Indian fighters to 
permit himself to be caught in any such trap 
as that. 

As soon as the youthful commander was con- 
vinced that the Miamis had withdrawn from 
the immediate vicinity of the fort, although he 
was confident that they were still near, he im- 
mediately called two of his men and fully ex- 
plained to them the condition. 

il Somebody/ ' he said, "has got to go down 
the river and get help from General Harrison. 

158 



DEFENDING THE FORT 

If they do not do this the Miamis will get us, 
every one. Now, I want you two to take a 
canoe and start.' ' 

The two wearied soldiers glanced into each 
other's face. It was a perilous undertaking 
upon which they were about to be sent and at 
first, neither was inclined to consent. There 
was something, however, in the attitude of the 
brave young leader that overcame their own 
feelings and without further excuses they both 
consented to make the attempt. 

The two soldiers had not gone far above the 
fort when they discovered that their presence 
was known to the prowling red men. Twice, 
arrows had whistled past their heads and twice 
more they had been fired upon with rifles. The 
Indians, however, were not good shots and for- 
tunately both men escaped any harm. They 
paddled desperately as they swept past the 
point. There they had been attacked but when 
they discovered a force of redmen on either 
bank of the point in the river below they in- 
stantly changed their course and put back down 
the stream. 

159 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

A derisive shout greeted their sudden action 
and again there were shots, by which one of 
the two men was slightly wounded. The des- 
peration of both, however, provided a fresh 
incentive and exerting themselves to the ut- 
most they soon sent their fleet little craft be- 
yond the point of danger and safely made their 
way back into the fort. 

The anger of the boyish commander when 
the two returned messengers presented them- 
selves before him was intense. 

"You are mighty brave men!" he said sneer- 
ingly. "You are so anxious to keep your own 
skins whole that you do not care what happens 
to the women and children or even to the 
wounded or sick in this fort ! And I told you 
before you started that the life of every one 
in this garrison depended on your getting 
through with word to General Harrison." 

"But we couldn't go through," began one of 
the men protestingly. 

"Sol see, ' ' retorted Captain Zachary. ' < But 
there are men here who can do it and who will 
do it ! If every other man gives up I am going 

160 



DEFENDING THE FORT 

to take a canoe and go alone ! I would go any- 
way if there was any man here that had spunk 
enough to stand up against these redskins. 
The fact is I don't dare leave the women and 
children in the care of such men. I have two 
men here that I think I can trust. At all events 
I am going to put it up to them and I believe 
they will go through. ' ' 

Angrily turning away Captain Taylor left 
the two men chagrined and smarting under his 
stinging words. He speedily summoned two 
others one of whom was a lad only seventeen 
years of age, and to them intrusted his mission. 
"You have simply got to get word to General 
Harrison," he explained. "You can't come 
back because the gates will be closed here and 
not another soul is going to be admitted. It will 
be for the protection of your own skins as well 
as for the safety of the garrison that you must 
get through. I do not care," he added impul- 
sively shaking his fist vigorously as he spoke 
as one of the men started to interrupt him, "it 
doesn't make any difference what the danger 
is I You simply have got to go up the river 

161 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

and get word to Tippecanoe that lie must send 
somebody here right away." 

Some of the zeal of the boy officer was doubt- 
less imparted to the couriers for, when they left 
his presence and soon afterward started in their 
little canoe, they were grimly determined to 
obey his instructions. 

Twice they ran their craft under the over- 
hanging bushes and waited while parties of the 
savages crossed the stream. Once 
they were followed by three of the 
Miamis in another canoe, but finally 
succeeded in escaping them. They 
heard the cries of the redmen giv- 
ing warning of their approach, and, 
landing, carried their canoe on their 
shoulders through the woods to the 
seaman, 1815 shores of the bay on the opposite 
side of the point. There they were again dis- 
covered but their desperate efforts and their 
skill in paddling enabled them once more to 
escape their foes. 

There simply must be no return until they 
came with the men whom General Harrison 

162 




DEFENDING THE FORT 

would send to the relief of the hardly beset 
garrison of the little fort. 

At last, like all men who have sufficient de- 
termination, they succeeded. They passed 
their foes and arrived safely at the camp they 
were seeking. 

Quickly Colonel Eussell and a band of ran- 
gers started on their way to the rescue of Fort 
Harrison. As they too were rugged men and 
determined, they also succeeded. Fort Harri- 
son was saved and the praises of the young cap- 
tain were heard on every side. Indeed, it was 
then that the refugees affectionately nick- 
named young Zachary Taylor, "Old Rough and 
Ready.' y He was proud of the name and it 
clung to him even after he became President of 
the United States. 



CHAPTER X 

THE RIDE OF DARBY NOOX 

A Story of the War of 1812 

THE famous ride occurred not long after 
the surrender of Detroit. That event, as 
you doubtless recall, occurred within less than 
two months after the declaration of war. And 
what a disappointment the surrender was! 
General Hull, who was in command of the fort 
at the time had been a brave soldier in the 
struggle of the American colonies to gain their 
independence. The confidence of the people of 
the 'Union in his ability and bravery was so 
strong that when the fort fell, the reaction in 
the minds of the Americans was exceedingly 
bitter. General Hull was gray-haired and old. 
It was simply another illustration of the fact 
that young men make the best fighters. When 
action and daring are required sometimes it is 

164 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

as wise to trust the enthusiasm of inexperi- 
ence as it is the conservatism of experience. 
Of course the fact that General Hull's daugh- 
ter and her children had been slain not long 
before the surrender may have had a very de- 
pressing effect upon the mind of the commander. 
But whatever the explanation may be, the fact 
nevertheless remains that within two months 
after the beginning of the War of 1812 the 
fort and the strong garrison of 2,000 men, and 
the great territory of Michigan including its 
scattered inhabitants, had passed under the 
control of General Brock. Even one of the 
brass cannon in the post had been surrendered, 
although on it had been inscribed the follow- 
ing : ' ' Taken at Saratoga on the seventeenth of 
October, 1777.' ' 

The delight of the incoming soldiers was great 
when they discovered that again they had ob- 
tained possession of the famous old gun. They 
decided at once to add to the inscription, and 
Colonel Hatch immediately cut the following 
words, "Retaken at Detroit, August 16, 1812.' ' 

The feeling among the American soldiers was 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

bitter beyond the power of words to describe. 
General M 'Arthur at that very time was lead- 
ing a large force toward Detroit. He was plan- 
ning to fall upon General Brock's army from 
the rear, if the redcoats made an attack on 
the place. When word of the surrender came 
to the leader he was so angry that he drove his 
sword into the ground and broke it declaring 
that there was slight use in any man trying to 
fight under such leadership as that provided by 
General Hull. 

The feeling of the angry soldier was not un- 
like that which speedily spread throughout the 
States. A New Hampshire "poet" wrote a 
long scurrilous song which at once became 
popular from one end of the land to the other. 
There were more than forty stanzas in the 
"poem," but one of them will serve to show 
the anger of the writer and the feelings of the 
people, 

"Let William Hull be counted null, 
A coward and a traitor. 
For British gold his army sold 
To Brock, the speculator." 

166 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

As if to make the surrender a still greater 
farce the white flag which was waved from the 
walls at the approach of General Brock and his 
men was a white tablecloth. There were jeers 
and cries from the outraged soldiers, but they 
were powerless to prevent their commander 
from following his cowardly plan. There was 
no escape from the fact that Detroit, the fort 
and the post, its would-be defenders and all the 
territory of Michigan were lost. 
The renegade general together with 
his men were made prisoners and 
sent to Montreal. 

Of course there were no tele- 
phones or telegrams in those days 
and news traveled slowly. Several 
days elapsed before the startled 
country was aware of the dastardly 
deed of the commander of De- a s ™ek? 

, ', ABOUT 1800 

troit. 

It was not long, however, before General 
Van Eensselaer at Lewiston received word of 
the fall of the fort on the border. His indig- 
nation and that of his men was not less than 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

that of General M 'Arthur and the soldiers in 
General Hull's army. 

The commander on the Niagara was aware, 
however, as soon as he received the message 
that word must at once be sent General Dear- 
born, the senior commander in the army. 

At that time General Dearborn was stationed 
at Greenbush near Albany. There was no way 
by which the message could be carried from 
Niagara except by a courier. The selection of 
the best man for this task was difficult because 
the ride was long and hard and only a man 
of courage and determination would be able to 
succeed in the undertaking. 

Among the soldiers of the army of General 
Dearborn was Darby Noon. He was a bright, 
powerful young Irishman, who had come to 
America several years before the outbreak of 
the war and had settled at Albany. His pleas- 
ing personality and his sharp wits had com- 
bined to make him a very successful young man. 
He had married Caroline Broome, the daughter 
of the Lieutenant Governor of New York, and 
Darby's fortunes seemed to be secure. 

168 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

Greatly aroused by the deeds of the press 
gangs and thoroughly loyal to his new home 
in the western world, Darby Noon soon after 
the outbreak of the war raised and equipped a 
company which under his command was sent 
to the western border of New York State. And 
Darby was the man whom General Van Eens- 
selaer now selected for the arduous task of tak- 
ing to General Dearborn the message that his 
colleague had raised the white tablecloth on 
the walls of the fort at Detroit and surrendered 
everything in his possession. 

Obedient to the summons of his commander 
Darby reported at headquarters without hav- 
ing the slightest suspicion of the reason for 
the summons. He was not long left in igno- 
rance, however, for General Van Eensselaer at 
once informed him of the message he had re- 
ceived of the fall of Detroit. Darby's Irish 
blood instantly was aflame. He roundly de- 
nounced the renegade commander expressing 
his opinion in vigorous language which by its 
rich brogue betrayed the original home of the 
ardent young officer. 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

When the general inquired if Darby thought 
he would be willing and able to carry out the 
proposed undertaking, the young Irishman, now 
thoroughly American in hi,s sympathies, de- 
clared that he would not only be willing to 
ride to Greenbush, but, if necesary, he was 
willing to go also to several other locali- 
ties not referred to in the geographies of that 
day. 

There was no delay in the preparations. 
Within a half-hour after Darby Noon had re- 
ceived the word and had placed the message 
in his pocket he had selected the swiftest horse 
in the camp and a few minutes afterwards rode 
out of Lewiston. 

The swift little animal seemed to share in the 
spirit of its rider. It was a cool morning, but 
in spite of the coolness, Darby Noon had not 
ridden far before his horse was almost covered 
with foam and the willing animal by its labored 
breathing and heaving sides was giving evi- 
dences of the suffering it was enduring. There 
was no mercy, however, in the heart of the 
rider. One thought was uppermost and that 

170 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

was the word which must be gotten through at 
once to General Dearborn that his trusted com- 
mander on the western border had shown him- 
self to be a coward and a traitor. 

Not more than twenty-five miles had been cov- 
ered when Darby became convinced that the 
horse he was riding was unable to continue the 
pace. Perhaps even the journey itself was now 
impossible. At that very time he was ap- 
proaching a log house in a large clearing. The 
place displayed many evidences of the prosper- 
ity of the settler and among others was a beau- 
tiful horse, tethered not far from the kitchen 
door of the cabin. 

Without delaying a moment, Darby turned his 
trembling horse toward the open door. As he 
drew near a woman appeared in the doorway, 
surprised at the sight of her hurried and unex- 
pected visitor. 

"I must leave this horse and take yours," 
explained the rider breathlessly, as he leaped 
from the back of the animal he was riding. 

Too astonished to reply the woman stared at 
Darby in silence. 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"It's this way," continued Darby, "I've got 
a message that must be taken to General Dear- 
born. There isn't time to talk. I can't even 
explain. I'll leave the horse I've been riding 
and you may have it. It 's a better animal than 
yours, anyway, though I'm not sayin' anything 
agin your horse. If you aren't satisfied," he 
hastily added, "you can jist sind your bill to 
the United States and I'm thinkin' you won't 
lose much by the deal. ' ' 

Still the woman did not speak. Taking 
silence for consent Darby instantly transferred 
his saddle and before the startled woman could 
make further protests he had departed from 
the place. 

Again he was riding at breakneck speed over 
the rough and uneven roadway. The trees al- 
most seemed to be flying past him, so swiftly 
was he moving. Once the horse stumbled and 
almost fell, but the young Irishman retained 
his saddle and in a moment the horse had re- 
gained its stride. 

On and still on rode Darby, the message in 
his pocket assuming greater importance as he 

172 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

left the banks of the Niagara farther and far- 
ther behind him. 

When two more hours had elapsed the fleet- 
footed animal was betraying signs of distress 
almost as keen as those manifested by the 
horse which the courier previously had been 
riding. His success in exchanging steeds sug- 
gested to Darby Noon the continuance of the 
plan. Before him he saw another clearing not 
unlike the one at which he had stopped. There 
was no horse to be seen, however, about the 
premises, and when the courier turned into the 
lane that led from the road, he was uncertain 
whether or not he could obtain the animal he 
desired. 

In response to his hail a young man appeared 
who stolidly listened to Darby's hasty explana- 
tion. 

"I want to swap horses/ ' explained Darby. 
"I'm a courier for the army with a message 
for General Dearborn at Greenbush. I've 
simply got to get there and this horse is 
winded. I'll leave this one and take one of 
yours. You may keep this and put in a bill for 

173 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

any difference if yoa think you aren't makm' a 
good trade." 

The stolid manner of the young settler 
quickly departed. It was plain that he was 
keen for a bargain and he assented to the sug- 
gestion after he had delayed Darby long enough 
to write out and have him sign an order on 
the quartermaster's department. 

Irritated by his enforced delay, Darby Noon 
endeavored, when he again resumed his journey, 
to make up a part of the time which had been 
lost. 

The third horse apparently was possessed 
of better wind than either of its predecessors. 
It was a lanky animal, its backbone almost pro- 
truding through its skin. The saddle chafed the 
plunging animal and before the rider had made 
the distance covered on his previous relays, 
his horse was plainly in distress. 

Darby Noon soon was approaching a little 
hamlet. There were several log houses, a store 
and a small church edifice to be seen. It was 
now nearly dusk and suddenly Darby Noon be- 
came aware that he was hungry. 

174 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

Halting before the village tavern he briefly 
explained his project and was greatly elated 
when one of the men who listened to his story 
declared that he would provide the horse re- 
quired and would take Darby 's order for the 
balance due him. 

The offer was quickly accepted and then he 
explained his own plight. He was thirsty and 
exceedingly hungry. Darby Noon declined the 
invitation to stop for supper, suggesting that 
food be brought him which he would consume on 
his ride. He must not stop even to satisfy the 
cravings of his appetite. 

Darby was aware now that he was confront- 
ing one of the difficulties of his journey. He 
ate the food which had been given him, all the 
time insisting upon his horse moving swiftly 
over the rough road. How was he to exchange 
the animal for another when midnight came ? 

The question was left unanswered when 
Darby about midnight again halted in a little 
hamlet. At the nearest house he stopped and 
rapped loudly upon the door. A head was 
thrust from the window above him. A voice 

175 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

loudly protested against the disturbance, de- 
manding what was wanted. 

The Irish brogue of Darby Noon now as- 
serted itself more completely in his excitement. 
It was difficult for a time for him to make known 
his wants, but at last the man understood and 
he quickly agreed to the proposition. In this 
way the courier secured another horse although 
as he departed in the darkness he somehow was 
convinced that his statement had been only 
partly believed. Indeed, Darby was fearful of 
pursuit and because of this feeling increased 
the speed of the swiftly running horse. 

Once more in the night Darby Noon stopped 
for an exchange of horses. Only his insistence 
and threat that trouble would arise if his re- 
quest was not heeded finally effected the ex- 
change he desired. Through the long hours of 
the night the courier continued on his way. 
There were no opportunities given the horses 
for rest and as for Darby Noon himself not so 
much as a thought of relief came to his troubled 
mind. Had he not been sent by his general 
with orders to make the best possible speed 

176 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

in carrying his depressing and yet necessary 
message to the senior commander at Green- 
bush? 

There was nothing for the courier to do ex- 
cept to obey and Darby Noon had no other 
thought. 

Early the following morning he made an- 
other exchange and secured a little food which 
he insisted upon taking with him and eating 
while he was riding. Not one moment for rest 
had he taken. Already the expression in his 
eyes betrayed weariness and to the eager young 
courier it seemed as if almost every bone and 
muscle in his body was aching. And yet he 
must not stop for rest. 

Four times in that terrible day Darby Noon 
stopped to exchange horses and to obtain a 
little food which he still insisted must be eaten 
by him without dismounting. Every horse 
somehow seemed to catch the spirit of deter- 
mination that marked its rider. On and still 
on fled Darby Noon with his message. Night 
again fell but still he did not stop for rest. 
Indeed, although he was suffering keenly, the 

177 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

eager-hearted young Irishman even increased 
the speed of his horses. He fled past the little 
clearings, he dashed through the hamlets with- 
out regarding the startled people that rushed 
into the roadway to gaze after the wild rider. 

He smiled grimly several times when he fan- 
cied he could hear the words that were spoken. 
Doubtless many of these settlers believed him 
to be a criminal, who was trying to escape from 
his pursuers. 

Another day of misery followed, but Darby 
Noon, whose face now was drawn with suffering 
and his hands trembling from weakness, still 
sped forward. Not once had he had any diffi- 
culty in arranging for the exchange of his 
horses. Apparently the country folk shared 
somehow in his zeal to serve his country. Yet 
the end must soon come. Human strength 
could endure no more. And Darby Noon when 
night again drew near was aware that he was 
approaching familiar scenes. 

This fact served to strengthen his heart in a 
measure and renew his spirit of determination. 
There were moments when the world seemed 

178 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

to be whirling about him and he was able to 
retain his seat in the saddle only by lean- 
ing forward and clutching the mane of his 
horse. 

Only one more exchange was made and as 
the first gray light of the dawn appeared Darby 
Noon drew near to Greenbush. 

When he entered the camp, he disregarded 
the challenge of the guard and halted near the 
quarters of General Dearborn but he was un- 
able to explain his errand to the men who 
rushed upon him. For a few moments matters 
looked dark for the young patriot. There were 
cries and calls and some of the soldiers in their 
excitement even declared that the enemy was in- 
vading the camp. 

Fortunately one man recognized the rider. 
" It 's Darby ! ' ' he shouted. ' ' It 's Darby Noon ! 
Don't touch him! Wait until he can speak for 
himself. ' ' 

But Darby Noon could not speak. He was 
unable even to dismount. His body was trem- 
bling like the body of the horse he had been 
riding. The hands of friends, however, ten- 

179 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

derly lifted the wellnigh exhausted courier from 
his saddle and placed him upon the ground. 

Before a further word of explanation was 
given Darby Noon drew from his pocket the 
message he had received from General Van 
Eensselaer and whispered hoarsely, "Take it 
to General Dearborn. ' ' And then he fainted. 

For three days Darby Noon, exhausted by his 
long and perilous ride, was unable to leave his 
bed. The story of his ride, however, was soon 
told and the cheers of his comrades doubtless 
did much to revive the spirits of the courageous 
young soldier. And the story soon was known 
also throughout the camp. Indeed, it speedily 
was familiar in the entire region and was a 
frequent topic of conversation among the scat- 
tered settlers. 

For many years after the death of Darby 
Noon, for he died nine years after the close of 
the war, though his wife lived until 1861, the 
ride of Darby Noon was a story told by mothers 
to their boys whenever they especially desired 
to teach the needed lessons of courage and 
determination. 

180 



THE RIDE OF DARBY NOON 

Darby's ride has long since been forgotten. 
Other heroes and other deeds of bravery have in 
a measure taken its place. It may be, however, 
that in the lives of the young Americans of to- 
day, as it did in the minds of those who pre- 
ceded them by more than a century, the story 
may produce the same results. At all events 
it is wise not to forget entirely the Eide of 
Darby Noon. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE YOUNG COLOR BEARER 

A Story of the Civil War 

THE great Civil War between the North 
and the South had begun. There was a 
stirring call throughout each section to which 
many of the young men were quickly respond- 
ing. Nowhere was the response more enthusi- 
astic than in some of the sections of our coun- 
try which now are known as the central west. 

Among those who came to the help of their 
country was one young man, not much more than 
a boy, for he was only nineteen years of age, 
whose home was not far from the Father of 
Waters. But the strange part is that somehow 
his name has disappeared from the list and al- 
though the story of his bravery is familiar to 
many, the young hero himself has passed away 
unknown and unsung. 

182 



THE YOUNG COLOR BEARER 

There was no braver boy in all the great Fed- 
eral Army than this young soldier when in the 
early part of the year 1861 he was made color- 
bearer of his regiment. He fully understood 
that the position was the most dangerous of all. 
Indeed, he had heard his own father tell of the 
number of times the color-bearer of his regi- 
ment had fallen in one of the battles of the 
Mexican war. And now this post of danger, 
and of honor as well, had come to the young 
patriot, who felt that there was not too much he 
could give the land he loved. 

Several months of training followed his en- 
listment. At last, however, the routine of the 
camp and the training of the men had produced 
results sufficient to warrant sending southward 
the regiment to which the young color bearer be- 
longed. 

Finally there came a day in midsummer when 
the division of which his regiment was a part 
was marching through Virginia. The modest 
young color bearer was leading his regiment. 
So eager was he, as he occasionally glanced 
into the faces of the men behind him, that all 

183 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

thought of his own peril for the time being was 
ignored. 

It is true the men of his regiment already had 
had many stirring experiences although they 
had not yet advanced into battle. Stories too 
were frequently told in the camp of the tasks 
assigned to rival regiments and the bravery with 
which the men responded to the calls. 

The regiment now was nearly a mile in ad- 
vance of the main body and had arrived at the 
ferry across a little stream, on the opposite 
bank of which the breastworks of a Confederate 
army were plainly to be seen. Indeed General 
Floyd, the commander of this division of the 
southern troops had worked rapidly and thrown 
up along the shore of this swift mountain 
stream, defenses which were formidable. 

The colonel in command of the Union forces 
called a halt. He decided that it was time for 
him to await the coming of the main body from 
behind him. At the officer's word the men 
stretched themselves upon the ground. Indeed, 
it was seldom that a command was more rapidly 
obeyed. The heat of the day, the long march 

184 



THE YOUNG COLOR BEARER 

and dusty roads had combined to make these 
soldiers eager for an opportunity to rest. 

It was not long after the men had obeyed 
the longed-for command when there was a sud- 
den change in the plans and the order abruptly 
was given for the men to advance and rush the 
defenses on the opposite side of the stream. 
There was a sharp call by the bugler, the regi- 
ment was speedily in marching order and in a 
brief time came the word for them to advance. 

How strong the feeling was among these sol- 
diers may be understood from the fact that as 
the men leaped to their feet and at the word of 
their officer, darted forward, a wild cheer arose 
from the ranks. 

It was now that the peril of the young color 
bearer became clear even to the boyish leader. 
There was no hesitation, however, nor was there 
a moment's delay. In advance of all was the 
flag, the staff tightly grasped in the right hand 
of the young color bearer. 

A withering fire from the Confederates 
greeted the charge. Bullets were singing all 
around, death seemed to be in the very air and 

187 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

many a brave man fell never to rise again. 
Added to the shock of the battle were the cries 
and the groans of the wounded. Still the men 
advanced and still the fluttering flag was in 
the fore-front, carried by the young color 
bearer, both he and his colors an inspiration 
to the men. The leaden messengers of death 
whistled and whined all about them. But al- 
most as if he was protected by an unseen hand 
thus far he had been untouched. 

Suddenly a bullet struck him in his wrist. A 
hasty glance revealed that his right hand had 
been torn from his arm and the flag fell to the 
ground. 

For an instant the young soldier faltered. 
Then snatching the flag from the ground with 
his left hand and bleeding from his mangled 
stump of an arm he resolutely plunged forward. 

So many were those who had fallen about 
him and so terrific were the efforts required for 
the men to advance that no one apparently had 
given any heed to the wounded young bearer of 
the standard. 

This condition, however, did not long remain. 
188 



THE YOUNG COLOR BEARER 

Soon his comrades discovered the wound from 
which he was suffering and urged him to give 
up the flag to them and for him to retire to 
the rear. The young soldier, weak from loss 
of blood, his face now white and drawn with 
pain, with grim determination refused to quit 
his post. Still he struggled forward, his one 
great thought being to keep his country's flag 
flying where his daring comrades might see and 
follow it. Stumbling, frequently falling, weak 
from loss of blood the young color bearer strug- 
gled ahead until his strength had almost failed 
him. 

It was a weird sight and one which no one 
that survived it ever was able to forget. The 
burst of flame from the Confederate forces on 
the opposite side of the stream, the calls of the 
officers, the notes of the bugles, the roar of the 
guns and more than all the sight of the young 
color bearer still feebly doing his utmost to 
carry forward his flag, combined to form a pic- 
ture that in every way was soul-stirring. 

Still the young soldier clung to his task. His 
face now was ghastly and his weakness became 

189 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

more apparent every moment. It was a ques- 
tion only of a brief time before he would be 
compelled to abandon his task. 

At that very moment, however, a ball from a 
Confederate gun struck him squarely in the 
chest. Instantly he fell, but as he went down, 
although he was bathed in his own blood he 
was enveloped in the flag he loved. Even in 
that last tragic moment he clutched its fluttering 
folds and when at last a comrade took the blood- 
stained standard from him he had difficulty in 
freeing it from the grasp of the dead boy. 

In this manner, in the early part of the great 
struggle the young color bearer gave his life to 
uphold the honor of the flag that was the em- 
blem of his country. 

Although no monument marks the spot where 
he fell and no detailed history has ever been 
written of the bravery of his deed, still here and 
there may be found those who appreciate cor- 
rectly the contribution of the young hero who 
was not the only one in his class. Many were 
the boys whose names have been forgotten, 
whose graves are unmarked, who gave all they 
had to the land they loved. 

190 



CHAPTER XII 

THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

A Story of the Civil War 

IN 1862, General Beauregard after a brave 
but unavailing engagement, bad withdrawn 
bis little army to Corintb, Mississippi. Tbe 
fact, bowever, tbat tbe battle apparently was 
going against bim did not at tbe 
time cause bis followers to lose 
confidence in bim as a leader, 
nor did be lose eitber bis hope 
or his wits, as tbe story which 
follows plainly shows. 
Not far from Corinth, near 
the banks of the Tennessee River, General Hal- 
leck with his Union troops was waiting for an 
opportunity to attack bis foe. And there was 
confidence among his soldiers also for they out- 
numbered Beauregard's forces and, in the face 

191 




P. G. T. BEAUREGARD 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

of the latter 's withdrawal, they believed they 
were soon to win the battle that must be 
fought. 
The Federals, however, were becoming in- 




ABRAHAM LINCOLN 



crea singly uneasy. Eumors were rife in this 
camp that the Confederates were being stead- 
ily reenforced. It was said that General Van 
Dorn and General Price already had come with 

192 



THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

numbers that greatly strengthened the depleted 
ranks of General Beauregard. But the reports 
persisted that in addition to the arrival of the 
troops of these Confederate generals, a steady 
stream of other reinforcements also was be- 
ing poured into the little town. The numbers 
of these new arrivals of course were not known 
and the very vagueness of the rumors increased 
the uneasiness in the Union camp. The men 
were eager for action. Complaints were be- 
ginning to be heard and a feeling of restlessness 
threatened to undermine the morale of the 
Union men, who were ready and impatient to 
advance. 

This feeling became still more pronounced 
when the noise of moving trains in Corinth con- 
tinually increased. The rattling of the cars 
and the blasts of the locomotives were distinctly 
heard over in the Union camp. All these signs 
indicated great activity among the Confederates 
and the rumor consequently became more 
alarming. The confidence in their ability to 
win the victory in the coming struggle was be- 
coming dimmer with every loud blast from Cor- 

193 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

inth, particularly when faint sounds of cheers 
from the Confederates followed the whistles of 
the moving trains. The men found themselves 
listening even when they pretended to be in- 
different and the eyes of all were frequently, 
and of some almost continually, turned in the 
direction from which the alarming sounds were 
coming. 

On the night of May 29th, General Halleck 
gave the command and the Union army moved 
forward. It was understood that the plan was 
to attack early the following morning. And 
the men were all ready and eager for the task. 
Throughout the night the whistling of arriv- 
ing locomotives still was heard from Corinth 
while the loud cheering of the Confederates 
greeted every shrill blast of the whistles. In- 
deed, both the whistling and the cheering ap- 
parently increased at the very time when the 
Union men moved forward to their new posi- 
tions. 

There was something almost uncanny in the 
confusing sounds. From the noise one might 
almost believe that General Lee was pouring his 

194 



THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

entire army into Corinth in his eagerness to aid 
his fellow soldiers. Something of the spirit of 
the mystery hovered over the Union boys even 
when they halted in their new positions and 
awaited the coming of the dawn, for that hour 
had been selected as the time when the entire 
force was to dash forward upon the opposing 
lines. There was, however, a spirit of grim 
determination manifest on every side and as 
it was known that their enemies were brave and 
almost reckless in battle, the outcome did not 
appear as rosy as it had a few hours before 
to the hardy Union soldiers. 

Silence fell over the ranks when General Hal- 
leck at last advanced alone within range of the 
opposing troops. Every man was tense and 
eagerly watching for the first activities of their 
foes. But not a gun replied to their fire, nor 
was a Confederate soldier to be seen along the 
entire line. 

Puzzled by the unexpected and almost ap- 
palling silence the lines waited. Like men of 
stone they stood in the ranks watching for they 
knew not what, listening for sounds that as 

195 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

yet were unheard. Was there a trick about 
to be played? Had the Union men been drawn 
into a trap? What could the unearthly silence 
mean? 




ULYSSES S. GEANT 



For a time the long lines remained motionless. 
Occasionally a soldier glanced at his comrades 
to discover whether or not he was the sole man 
to be guilty of a nameless fear. What was the 
meaning of the silence that rested over the 

196 



THE EIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

region, for by this time the whistling of the 
locomotives was not heard and the cheering of 
the Confederates had altogether ceased? And 
General Halleck, too, was fearful, — afraid for 
his army and anxious lest the strange stillness 
should steal away the enthusiasm and confi- 
dence of his men. Were his foes preparing a 
sudden onslaught? Were they waiting in 
silence for the boys in blue to come nearer and 
then by a concerted attack of hidden batteries 
and shouting, cheering men, rush upon their 
enemies taken unawares? 

Something must be done at once and General 
Halleck returned safely and hastily called a 
council of his nearest officers. Every man was 
serious, for the uncertainty was even harder to 
bear than the activities of an open or even a 
desperate struggle. Some even ventured to 
suggest a retreat to avoid the peril of the trap 
into which the opposing forces doubtless were 
trying to lead them. Behind the silence there 
must be some explanation, for the Confederates 
were not easily turned aside from a purpose 
when once it had been formed. 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

At last after every man present had ex- 
pressed himself and the nearly unanimous 
opinion was that the present was no time for 
reckless attacks, young Captain Frank Clarke 
arose. He was boyish in his appearance and 
manifestly ill at ease as he stood before his 
superior officers. 

"It seems to me," he said modestly, "that be- 
fore we do anything at all we ought to find out 
just what the conditions are in Corinth. ' ' 

"How shall we find out?" inquired General 
Halleck, a smile lighting up his anxious coun- 
tenance as he spoke. 

1 ' Some one must go. ' ' 

"Go where?" 

"Go close to the trenches." 

"But that will mean certain — " The gen- 
eral stopped abruptly, deeply impressed by the 
light he saw in the eyes of his boyish officer. 
Who was he to check the enthusiasm or dampen 
the courage of the brave man who was almost 
idolized by his men? 

"I am willing to try," suggested Captain 
Clarke in a low voice. 

198 



THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

For a moment silence rested over the small 
assembly. Not one questioned the courage of 
their comrade, but all doubted his wisdom. To 
ride toward the opposing lines in the open space 
between the armies, was to make himself a 
target for hundreds of unseen rifles. Behind 
the lines doubtless men even then were stretched 
upon the ground, holding their guns in readiness 
to fire upon the first Yankee soldier to come 
within range. 

"Yes, I am willing to try," said the captain 
once more, after he had waited for some one to 
break the oppressive stillness. "I shall want 
the fastest horse in our whole outfit. ' * 

"Just what do you intend to do?" inquired 
one of the older men. 

"I want to ride so fast that I shaVt make 
much of a target for the Johnnies. I want to 
ride the length of the lines and find out just 
what the condition is behind those earthworks. 
I shall have to move fast, and if I don't come 
back," he added quietly, "you will find that I 
have left directions in my quarters for what I 
want done." 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"If you are to go, then you ought to start at 
once,'' said General Halleck, rising as he spoke. 

The council abruptly was dismissed, the men 
departed and within a few minutes an orderly 
brought a horse which was reputed to be the 
fleetest animal in the possession of the Union 
soldiers of the region. 

The commander and his grave young officer 
had remained after their comrades had de- 
parted. There was to be no delay, no knowledge 
of the plan was to be given any outside the 
parties already interested. Indeed the whole 
affair was to be over before any of the men 
were to be informed of the project. 

Captain Clarke nodded approvingly after he 
hastily inspected the animal, examined the sad- 
dle and convinced himself that his equipment 
was complete. Then lightly leaping upon the 
back of his horse, he waved his hand at his gen- 
eral, patted the neck of his steed, and after a 
sharp word dashed from the lines and rode at 
breakneck speed for the open space between 
the armies. 

What a shout went up from the ranks when 
200 



THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

the men saw what the purpose of the captain 
was. The sudden sharp outburst, however, 
was quickly hushed. Not a sound was to be 
heard while every man with bated breath and 
straining eyes watched the rider. Not one be- 
lieved that Captain Clarke ever would return 
alive. It was magnificent, but the hazard was 
too great. 

The tense feelings became still more tense as 
the moments passed and as yet the brave man 
was untouched. Not a rifle had been dis- 
charged. Were the Confederates withholding 
their fire in their admiration for the daring of 
their enemy? 

The captain meanwhile had ridden within a 
hundred yards of the earthworks and then ab- 
ruptly turned at right angles and still at top 
speed rode in a line parallel with that of the 
trenches. And still the maddening silence was 
unbroken. The sun by this time was well above 
the eastern horizon. The former plan of at- 
tacking consequently was now abandoned. All 
developments depended upon the results of the 
next few minutes when not only the fate of 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Captain Clarke, but also that of General Hal- 
leck's army might be decided. 

Suddenly a groan ran the entire length of 
the watching Union lines. The fleet little horse 
had stumbled and fallen and the captain ap- 
parently was pinned to the ground in the fall. 
Had he been shot? Not a rifle had been heard. 
In a brief time a murmur of relief swept along 
the ranks when the young captain was seen to 
crawl from beneath the struggling animal. 
Calmly he examined the horse and then his 
equipment, and evidently convinced that no 
serious damage had been done by the stumble 
he once more vaulted lightly into the saddle 
and resumed his swift ride. 

Nearer and nearer the enemies ' lines he rode 
until to the excited watchers it did not seem 
possible that any longer would the Confeder- 
ates withhold their fire. 

The men with steadily increasing excitement 
still watched the captain when at last he halted 
and stared blankly at the earthworks. In a few 
minutes he rode directly into the Confederate 
camp and disappeared. 

202 



THE RIDE OF CAPTAIN CLARKE 

There were calls for volunteers in the Union 
lines to follow. The excitement instantly 
spread and men were coming forward eagerly 
to offer themselves for the rescue of their com- 
rade. Before any 
advance was 
made, however, 
the captain was 
seen returning. 
No longer was he 
riding at the 
speed with which 
he had gone, nor 
was his manner 
that of one who 
had good news. 
For Captain 

EOBERT E. LEE 

Frank Clarke had 
discovered that the Confederates had gone. 
Not a gun was left in Corinth nor was a boy 
in gray to be seen. 

Then it dawned upon the Federal troops as it 
already had been seen by the young officer, that 
they had been made the victims of a shrewd 

203 




FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

trick. No reinforcements at all had come to 
the opposing camp! The Confederates had 
evacuated, and their withdrawal had been con- 
cealed by the whistles of locomotives which 
the boys in blue had believed to be the an- 
nouncement of incoming trains of fresh troops. 
Even the loud cheering which had been heard 
by the Federals was all a part of a plan to de- 
ceive the Yankee boys and it had worked ad- 
mirably. 

The battle was postponed, not by the will of 
the Union troops, but by the shrewdness of the 
Confederates. However, the daring deed of 
Captain Frank Clarke, who bravely faced what 
he and his comrades, including even General 
Halleck himself, believed to be certain death, 
was not the less heroic. Sometimes a hero 
does not fall, and the escape of Captain Clarke 
did not belittle the spirit of heroism he had dis- 
played. 



CHAPTER XIII 



A Story of the Civil War 

ALTHOUGH a soldier's life abounds in 
hardships and dangers, nevertheless 
there are many times when the spirit of fun is 
as much in evidence as the spirit of adventure. 
In every one of our wars there are accounts 
which describe how the soldiers with songs or 
with jokes entered into battle. Some of these 
jokes, at least when the men are in camp and 
have leisure are more than "practical." They 
are unworthy of men who are upholding the 
good name of their country. Some of these 
practical jokes, however, are comparatively 
harmless and serve to vary the monotony of 
life in the camps. 

Sam Wilder had the reputation before he 
enlisted of being the "village cutup." He was 

205 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

proud of this distinction and did his utmost to 
live up to the reputation he had won. The one 
difficulty in Sam's jokes, however, was that he 
insisted upon being the one to perpetrate them. 
When one of his victims occasionally retaliated, 
Sam's indignation instantly was aroused and 
his laments were loud and long. In this par- 
ticular, however, he did not differ much from 
most practical jokers who usually have obeyed 
the old adage and believed that it is "more 
blessed to give than to receive. ' ' 

When Sam enlisted, his former propensity 
soon displayed itself. There were occasions 
when his actions provided a relief for the tense 
nerves of his camp-mates. Sam's weakness, 
however, was that he still was unable to dis- 
tinguish between jokes that were harmless and 
those that hurt. 

One day when Sam returned to camp after a 
brief absence, he discovered a raw, ungainly 
youth about twenty years of age, who was gaz- 
ing open-eyed and open-mouthed at the sights 
about him. It was manifest that the stranger 
was greatly impressed by the sights and was 

206 



SAM WILDER'S PASSWORD 

unaware that he was attracting to himself an 
undue amount of attention. 

The poor stranger should have appealed to 
Sam 's sympathies, but, instead, he appealed too 
strongly to his sense of fun for him to resist 
the temptation which instantly swept over him 
to play another of his practical jokes. 

Approaching the uncouth visitor he inquired, 
"Maybe you're looking for somebody ?" 

"Naw," replied the young man, still gazing 
almost stupidly about him as he spoke. 

"Then I guess I'm the man you're looking 
for," said Sam. 

"I wasn't looking for anybody." 

"That's it, I'm sure I'm your man." 

"So?" said the stranger more interestedly. 
"And who might you be?" 

" I 'm the recruiting officer, ' ' said Sam. " I '11 
enroll you at once." 

"But I'm not joining the army," protested 
the visitor. 

"This is the best time in the world to stand 
up for your country," said Sam glibly. "Just 
think of the twenty dollars a month of clean 

207 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

money you'll receive. Think of the way the 
girls will look at you when you go home. Think 
of all the honors you'll win. Maybe you'll be 
a general before the war is over." 

"Do you really think so?" inquired the 
stranger apparently more keenly interested. 

' * Not a doubt, ' ' said Sam. ' ' Here 's my book. 
Now you take your pick. You can join any- 
thing you want, — artillery, infantry, engineers, 
— anything you want. ' ' 

"I like the looks of those fellows over there 
pretty well," said the visitor, pointing as he 
spoke to a regiment not far away. 

"All right, sir, you shall have your wish. 
That's the 3898th Khode Island. You shall en- 
roll in that regiment within five minutes." 

"Is that so?" 

Sam did not feel called upon to explain that 
though Little Ehody was patriotic and fur- 
nished her share of men the population of the 
little state prevented any such numbering as 
he had quoted. 

"Now then," said Sam, writing in his book, 
"what's your name?" 

208 



SAM WILDER'S PASSWORD 

"Slim Heath. Khymes with Death.' ' 

"Cheerful name," suggested Sam. "Glad 
you got it. Now I want your age, height and 
previous condition." 

By this time many of Sam's friends assembled 
to watch the practical joker. Even their sym- 
pathies were not aroused and there was an 
expression of enjoyment to be seen on the face 
of every soldier. 

At last when Sam had entered all the details 
he turned to his "recruit" and said, "Now then, 
when the sergeant comes along you want to 
report to him. You are now a soldier and if 
you don't obey orders you'll be shot. You 
stand here this way until the sergeant comes. ' ' 

Sam thrust his right hand into his blouse, 
lifted his left hand high above his head, placed 
the heel of his right foot against his left knee ; 
and when his instructions had been implicitly 
followed he departed from the place leaving 
the new soldier standing in his awkward posi- 
tion. Plainly he was accepting Sam's word and 
was afraid to move. The delighted soldiers did 
their utmost to encourage him and carry out 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Sam's spirit which by no means tended to 
soothe the feelings of the recruit, though he 
was not aware that he was the butt of a joke. 

Sam withdrew and then fifteen minutes later 
returned to his friend. "Sorry," he ex- 
plained, "I can't find the sergeant anywhere. 
He must have gotten leave and left the camp. 
It will be all right though," he said quickly 
as his victim resumed his normal position. 
"You won't have any trouble." 

"I'm awfully thirsty," suggested the recruit. 

"Sorry, I can't help you out," said Sam, 
"it's against the law to sell anything in the 
camp. Of course there are a few of the sol- 
diers that smuggle something in and a few of 
the sutlers might help you out, but not being 
used to those things myself I can't tell you 
where to go." 

"But I'm thirsty," protested the recruit. 

"All right," said Sam abruptly. "I've just 
thought of something that will help you out. 
Do you see that tent over yonder with the stove 
pipe through it and the smoke coming out of 
the pipe!" 

210 



SAM WILDER'S PASSWORD 

"Yes, I see it." 

"Well, that's the tent of Captain Jay. He 
can get you something to drink. Hold on," 
said Sam as the newcomer prepared to start 
at once in the direction indicated. "We'll 
have to be careful." 

"How's that!" 

"Why, there's a password. I told you it is 
against the law to sell anything in the camp, 
but there 's a way of getting around that. That 
man in the tent yonder will let you have some- 
thing if you give him the right password." 

"What is it? I'll say it," said the recruit 
eagerly. 

"Come up close to me," suggested Sam, "so 
that no one else will hear it. It will be too bad 
to give it away." Stooping he whispered in 
the ear of the excited new soldier, — 

"Davy Crockett, Old Davy Crockett, 
Tobacco in his hat, Whisky in his pocket. 

Do you think you can say that?" 

"Of course I can," said the man glibly, — 
"Old Davy Crockett had some whisky in his 
pocket." 

211 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

"No, no," said Sam sharply. "You don't 
get it. Now listen and say it right after me, 

"Davy Crockett, Old Davy Crockett, 
Tobacco in his hat, Whisky in his pocket." 

After several attempts the newcomer de- 
clared that he had mastered the password and 
was prepared to carry out the instructions. 

Captain Jay was one of the most unpopular 
officers in the entire American army. He was 
pompous, insistent upon every respect being 
paid his office and was unnecessarily sharp in 
his dealings with his men. Carefully observ- 
ing all the military forms his example neverthe- 
less failed to inspire any respect for him or 
confidence in him among his fellows. 

Sam was fully aware of his condition and 
his "joke" was based upon his knowledge. 

"That isn't all," he explained, turning again 
to the recruit. ' i The man in there may have on 
a captain's uniform, but let me tell you that he 
stole it. If he sees that you know what he 
has done, he will be scared and do just what 
you want him to. If that password doesn't 
work, why, you just tell him that you know he 

212 



SAM WILDER'S PASSWORD 

runs a whisky shop in the camp and he can't 
fool you. There's just those three things you 
must not forget, — the first is about Davy 
Crockett, Old Davy Crockett, the second is to 
tell him you know he stole his uniform and the 
third is that you must show him that you know 
he has been running a whisky shop for weeks." 

The knowledge of Sam's new joke already 
had spread throughout the camp and a crowd 
of men were already assembled to watch its 
outcome. 

Filled with confidence the recruit started 
boldly toward the tent which had been pointed 
out to him as the one occupied by the man who 
could provide that which he desired. Confi- 
dently approaching the spot he threw back the 
flap of the tent and before him saw seated at a 
table busily writing, a man who was clad in 
a captain's uniform. The officer looked up 
sharply at the intruder but before he could 
speak, the caller winked and in a singsong voice 
said, 

"Davy Crockett, Old Davy Crockett, 
Tobacco in his hat, Whisky in his pocket." 

213 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

The effect upon the captain who was seated 
before the table was not exactly what the visitor 
had expected. The officer started to rise from 
his seat, exclaiming as he did so, "What! 
What!— " 

"You can't fool me," said the visitor with 
increased assurance as again he repeated, 

"Davy Crockett, Old Davy Crockett, 
Tobacco in his hat, Whisky in his pocket." 

The captain was standing near his table, his 
face purple with rage, although he was appar- 
ently too astonished to express his feelings. 

"That's all right, old chappie," said the sol- 
dier, stepping forward as he spoke. ' ' You can 't 
fool me. Everybody around these parts knows 
you've been running a whisky shop here in the 
camp for the last three weeks." 

The captain reached for his sword, which 
was lying on the table, but as he turned, the 
recruit said, "If what I have told you isn't 
enough then I '11 tell you some more. You stole 
that uniform you're wearing; you know you 
did and so does everybody. Now then bring 
out—" 

214 



SAM WILDER'S PASSWORD 

By this time the captain had seized his sword 
and as he turned the intruder instantly was 
aware that a mistake of some kind had occurred. 
Instead of providing that for which he had come 
the man before him evidently was furiously 
angry. There was an expression in his eyes too 
that boded little good for the unduly wise re- 
cruit. Instantly he turned and fled from the 
tent, the enraged captain following in pursuit. 

There were cheers from the waiting and 
watching soldiers when the two men abruptly 
shot forth from the tent. The captain was do- 
ing his utmost first to kick and then to strike 
the terrified recruit. The latter, however, 
whatever his failings in other ways may have 
been, was on this occasion at least exceedingly 
fleet of foot. Twice in his efforts to kick the 
man the captain lost his balance and fell in 
an exceedingly undignified manner to the 
ground. Each fall, however, merely served to 
increase his rage. Leaping to his feet he re- 
newed the pursuit of his victim with still greater 
determination. 

Whatever the old proverb may have to con- 
215 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

firm its truthfulness in this instance at least 
the race was to the swift. Through the camp, 
dodging from tent to tent the pursuer and pur- 
sued fled on their way, the crowd which followed 
manifesting an increasing delight in the race 
and their cheers were loud and long. 

The flight at last terminated when the recruit 
gained the border of the camp and dashed past 
the guard, unmindful of his challenge to stop. 
Even then the captain still kept up the chase. 

The distance between him and his longed for 
victim steadily increased now, for the wind of 
the recruit evidently was much better than that 
of his outraged pursuer. The soldiers were 
not free to leave the camp, but on its border they 
stood and hugged one another in their delight. 
Sam Wilder, the expression of his countenance 
as solemn as if he had been attending his own 
funeral, as one of his comrades expressed him- 
self, looked first in astonishment at the shout- 
ing men and then at the sight of the recruit and 
the captain who soon disappeared beyond sight. 

The captain not long afterward came back, but 
the recruit never again appeared in the camp. 



CHAPTER XIV 

CLIMBING FOB THE FLAG 

A Story of the Spanish War 

THIS is the story of a daring deed which 
occurred when General Funston was 
fighting in Cuba. The daring little soldier was 
so deeply moved by the efforts of the Cuban 
people to obtain their independence that he 
volunteered his services and received from 
General Garcia a commission as captain. It 
would be interesting to follow his career as a 
soldier of fortune on the fertile Island of Cuba. 
Events of daring are plentiful in the records, 
but among them is one story which he loved 
to tell of the bravery and heroism of one of 
the Cuban patriots. Indeed, the general was 
instantly aroused to the defense of the Cubans 
in the presence of any one who cast a slur upon 

217 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

them or belittled their heroic struggles for their 
liberty. 

At the particular time when the story oc- 
curred a number of General Garcia 's forces 
were near Guaimaro. Most of the inhabitants 
of the little town had previously left the place 
and only a few Spanish storekeepers and their 
families were on the ground. Of course there 
was a garrison there and several hundred men, 
and there were blockhouses called fortins, most 
of which were of two stories, for the defense of 
the town. Barbed wire and other means also 
were used but the strongest defense of the 
place was the Fortin Gonfu. This was a block- 
house larger than most of the others. It was 
located on a low hill several hundred yards back 
of the lines and at a considerable distance from 
other blockhouses which nearly encircled it. If 
the Cubans could secure the Fortin Gonfu they 
believed they would be able to take the town. 
The ground between was mostly level and the 
place would be within easy range of the artil- 
lery if once the blockhouse could be taken. As 
the Gonfu was not very strong and was located 

218 



CLIMBING FOR THE FLAG 

far from the other defenses it was believed by 
the Cuban soldiers that they might easily cap- 
ture it. 

Accordingly, on the night of October 16, 
when the Cuban generals with their personal 
escorts were encamped about a mile from the 
G-onf u it was decided to make the attempt. The 
Spanish defenders of the blockhouse doubtless 
were aware of the presence of the rivals. Fond 
of music, the Cubans had many bands, and now, 
whenever the wind blew toward the blockhouse, 
the stirring music from the nearby band must 
have reached the ears of the garrison in the 
blockhouse. Then too they heard the Bayames, 
the national hymn of Cuba. The shouting fre- 
quently was interspersed with the cries of 
"Cubalibre." 

It was three o'clock in the morning when the 
call was given. The sounds of bugles all about 
Guaimaro pealed forth their loud summons. 
There were so many in the attacking party that 
the little garrison would be compelled to face 
heavy odds when the attack was made. The 
plans were formed so that only one gun was to 

219 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

be used in the attack on Gonfu. This was a 
twelve-pound cannon which had been erected 
during the night on the parapet, only about 
1200 feet distant from the blockhouse. Before 
daylight the cannon was in position and ready to 
open the bombardment. 

The first shot from the gun struck the ground 
a short distance from the blockhouse, but the 
force of the ball was not spent. Directly 
through the frail structure the cannon ball 
plunged forward. The Spaniards, however, 
were not yet willing to abandon the place. 
With their machine guns they poured a con- 
tinual fire in the direction from which the cannon 
had been fired, but they soon were compelled to 
abandon the blockhouse and find refuge in the 
trenches. There they fought bravely, their 
heads appearing for an instant only as the 
Spaniards peered above the rim of the stand-up 
trenches, just long enough to fire at their 
enemies. Even this attempt, however, could 
not last in the face of the attack of overwhelm- 
ing numbers. There was faint cheering and 
the rattle of shots as a company of Cubans, 

220 



CLIMBING FOR THE FLAG 

most of them negroes led by Colonel Menocol, 
who was chief of staff to Garcia, began to climb 
the sloping side of the hill upon which the 
blockhouse was located. 

The slope was quite steep and the grass was 
so high that the approach of necessity was slow. 
The men moved forward in single file, every one 
firing and yelling as he advanced. Every one 
of the fifty negroes, save one, in the advancing 
company bravely stuck to his task. 

When the Cubans had gained about half the 
distance up the hillside the defenders of the 
blockhouse abruptly fled from the place. It 
was almost incredible, the speed they made as 
they ran for the Isabella Fortin about 700 yards 
distant. The victorious attacking party be- 
gan to fire upon the running Spaniards as soon 
as they gained the position they were seeking. 

Meanwhile there was firing from other block- 
houses in the circles about the town. From the 
Fortin Gonfu the Cubans had captured the 
blockhouse, but they were now in a position of 
extreme peril. Not one of them who had been 
making the attack had been hit, but now Colonel 

221 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Menocol received orders to save his men and 
speedily sent a part of them back down the hill, 
while he tried to protect the remainder either 
by the trenches or by stationing them behind 
the blockhouse itself. 

At this time several officers of General Gar- 
cia 's staff gained the place and added to the 
strength of its defense. One of them, however, 
called attention to the fact that in spite of the 
capture of the place the Spanish flag still was 
floating from the pole on the roof. 

Instantly it was decided that this flag must 
come down. It was impossible, however, to 
lower it as it had been nailed to the staff itself. 
Young Lieutenant Luis Rodolfo Miranda, who 
belonged to the staff of General Garcia, declared 
that he would bring down that flag. Cheered 
by the Americans and his own men, most of 
whom, however, watched his operation from a 
place of safety, he at -once prepared for the 
desperate attempt. He was assisted by his 
friends to the roof of the blockhouse and then 
hastily ran to the pole, which he prepared to 
climb. 

222 



CLIMBING FOR THE FLAG 

The lieutenant was now the target for every 
gun in the circling defenses. Bullets hissed 
and sang all about him and on the roof of the 
blockhouse the sound of their falling was like 
the beating of a drum. The pole which Lieu- 
tenant Luis was to climb was at least eighteen 
feet high and only four inches in diameter. 
There were loud calls for Lieutenant Luis to 
abandon his foolhardy attempt. 

"Wait until night," was shouted again and 
again. 

However, the lieutenant refused to heed any 
of the appeals and steadily continued his ef- 
forts to climb the pole. Bullets still were fall- 
ing all about him. It was impossible to shield 
himself and every moment his friends expected 
to see him fall. Bravely and steadily he con- 
tinued at his task. By some miracle he was 
not hit by the bullets. Coolly the young officer 
drew his pocket-knife and when at last he had 
gained the place he was seeking, he calmly and 
deliberately cut away the flag. Holding it in 
his hand he then slid down the pole and ran 
lightly to the cornice and shaking the flag de- 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

fiantly as lie looked for a moment toward his 
enemies, he leaped to the ground, fifteen feet 
below him. 

The cheers which greeted his daring exploit 
were loud and long continued. The statement 
of General Funston concerning the bravery of 
the Cuban seemed to have been strongly con- 
firmed. Hardly a deed of daring throughout 
the long struggle for the independence of the 
beautiful island compared with it. Of course 
there were many brave deeds in which great 
numbers contended, but the young lieutenant, 
alone and in the face of enemies that sur- 
rounded him, who consequently were able 
to fire at him from every direction, dared to 
cut away the flag of the land from which his 
people were seeking to set themselves free. 

"That was the moment !" said Lieutenant 
Luis modestly afterward. "Just as I cut away 
the Spanish flag from the pole on the roof of 
Gonfu, so Cuba is released from the grasp of 
Spain.' ' 



CHAPTER XV 

THE BAFT ON THE MARILOA 

A Soldier's Story of the War in the Philippines 

IN the Philippine War I enlisted in the 
20th Kansas. Our Colonel, as you know, 
was Frederick Funston, who afterwards be- 
came a major general and was in command at 
Sam Houston. Although he was only five 
feet three, he was a fighter, every inch of 
him. He had already had some mighty stir- 
ring adventures in Cuba and I think every man 
in our regiment knew these stories almost from 
beginning to end. Not that the Little Guy, as 
everybody called the colonel, had ever said 
much about them, but somehow they had leaked 
out and there was nothing the boys liked better 
than to tell of the dare-devil tricks of the little 
soldier. He was one of the bravest men I ever 
saw. Nothing seemed to scare him or stop him. 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

The story I am telling you will show you pretty 
well what kind of a leader he was. 

"It was the 27th of June. The night be- 
fore we had all slept on straw which made an 
unusually good bed for a soldier. We got up 
early in the morning and had our breakfast of 
hardtack, bacon and coffee, and then started 
on what we believed was to be one of the liveli- 
est days in the whole campaign. General Otis, 
who was in command of our brigade, ordered us 
to keep to the left of the railroad, while Hale 's 
brigade marched on the right. The Third 
Artillery was directly in advance of our brigade, 
while the 20th Kansas followed along about 
500 yards behind. Then behind us came the 
1st Montana, as good a band of fighting cow- 
boys as you ever saw gathered together. 

"We marched slowly to the north, as I said, 
about 500 yards behind the Third Artillery. 
All at once, about a mile up the road, a lively 
firing broke out. Of course all of us were ex- 
cited, for it showed that we were coming close 
to the little imps that we were trying to corral. 

"As we swung ahead, we soon noticed that 
226 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

there were a good many in the Third Artillery 
that were squatted in little groups along the 
side of the road. Every little bunch appeared 
to be very busy too, but we all laughed, though 
we couldn't quite see anything to account for 
the strange actions of the men. 

"Just then we were ordered to advance to 
reenf orce the guard that was plainly receiving 
the full force of the attack. So they all fell 
in and marched up the road toward the firing. 
We noticed how the men kept looking behind 
them after they set out. They all seemed to be 
lonesome like, and to act as if they were leav- 
ing something which they wanted to take with 
them. 

"Pretty soon our regiment came up to the 
place where we had seen the men halted along 
the road and we found out why it was that they 
had kept looking behind them when they had 
been ordered to advance. At a good many 
places along the roadside there were little fires 
and near each fire was a chicken. It seems that 
the Third Artillery had found a lot of chicken 
coops and they hadn't hesitated about appro- 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

priating the chickens. But they didn't have 
time enough both to catch and cook the birds. 
About all they had done was to clean the fowls 
and start the broiling. 

"Our leader when we came up to the spot 
wasn't very long in discovering the situation 
and he told us that we could fall out. I never 
saw men in my life that obeyed an officer's com- 
mand more quickly. The trouble was, however, 
that only the battalion that was in front got 
any benefit from this windfall. Before the 
other two battalions could come up every 
chicken had found an owner. And when the 
other fellows halted down the road all they 
could do was to watch us and occasionally get a 
whirl of the broiling chickens. 

"I saw the Little Guy go up to one artillery- 
man who had not marched away with his com- 
pany. I heard the colonel ask the man why he 
hadn't gone with the others and when he told 
the man that he might be called to account for 
straggling or even for deserting, the soldier 
said quickly, 'I sha'n't get into trouble, Colonel. 
This isn't my chicken. It belongs to Major 

228 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

Kobbe. I'm just his striker. I guess I'll have 
to let it go though, for it won't be done in time. ' 

"I saw the Little Guy laugh as he said, 'It 
will be a shame to waste such a fine bird. ' 

"I assure you that the bird wasn't ' wasted.' 
I never saw any one put himself outside a 
broiled chicken in better order than Colonel 
Funston did. I asked him afterwards if his 
conscience didn't trouble him for taking the 
major's chicken. 'Not a bit,' he said with a 
laugh, 'I'm going to pay him sometime.' I 
wonder if he ever did send a chicken to that 
poor, hungry major. 

"Our boys sat there on the ground eating 
chicken and laughing at the fellows who were so 
far behind that they couldn't share in the feast. 
We waved the bones at them and told them how 
good the chickens were, but that didn't seem to 
satisfy them. 

"It wasn't long before we forgot all about 
our chickens because suddenly a firing broke 
out on our left front. This was a big surprise 
party to us for we hadn't expected anything 
from that quarter. The Little Guy instantly 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

ordered every man to lie down and then he and 
Major Metcalf dismounted and ran out into 
an open field to find out what was going on. 

"Just as soon as they were seen, the firing 
became heavier than ever and then we saw some 
trenches about 500 yards away. We knew that 
the Filipinos were in the trenches because we 
saw their straw hats bobbing up and down. As 
far as we could make out we were on the edge 
of some woods and the country between us and 
them was all level and open. The only things 
to break it up were the dykes that had been 
made to protect the rice fields. 

"Instantly when the Little Ouy came back, 
orders were given for two companies from the 
battalion in advance to go out into the open 
and begin an attack. You ought to have heard 
the boys yell when they began to go ahead by 
rushes. They would run for twenty-five yards 
then stop and throw themselves on the ground. 
A minute later, with a yell that you might al- 
most have heard back in the States, they started 
on again. Everything seemed to favor us and 
we all thought that we would clean out the nests 

230 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

without any trouble. Suddenly, however, we 
found that we had come to the bank of a river, 
and it was a swift river all right. It was about 
eighty feet wide and about ten feet deep. You 
see the Filipinos had stood their ground be- 
cause they knew the river was between us and 
them, whereas none of our officers had any maps 
that showed the Marilao was anywhere near. 
Of course the little devils were sheltered in 
good trenches and we were out in the open, with- 
out any cover except the rice dykes. There 
wasn't one of these that was more than a foot 
high. 

"Things were beginning to get interesting. 
Some of our men had been hit and two had been 
killed. The Little Guy decided to withdraw 
both companies until he could find some way to 
cross the river. 

"We dropped back without any trouble and 
kept the lines in order. Just then, however, 
General Otis came up and he was not at all 
pleased over the fact that the Little Guy had 
withdrawn both companies. I heard Colonel 
Funston explain that he was simply retiring 

231 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

for a time and had no thought of retreating. 
He said, however, that he was sure the men 
would all go back if the general wanted them 
to and there wasn't one of us that held back 
when the Little Guy put the question to us. 

"Company C had now come up and the men 
were fairly ripping the tops of the trenches 
up the river with bullets. All of us got back 
of the stream without losing a man. 

"We held the Filipinos in their trenches. 
The firing was pretty hard and there wasn't 
one of them that dared to stand up so that he 
could take any aim. Our fellows now were 
standing in the shadow and if any one saw even 
a hat or the muzzle of a rifle showed above the 
trenches the fire of twenty men at once would 
strike the spot. The Little Guy sent some of 
us down the bank of the river to find out if 
there was any place where we could cross. 

"I hadn't gone far before I noticed a raft 
on the opposite shore of the river. It was 
about 200 feet below the trenches from which 
the Filipinos were firing at us, but how in the 
world were we ever to get that raft? 

232 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

"When I reported to the Little Guy he said 
right off that the only way to get it was to go 
after it. Of course I knew that that meant 
there would be a call for volunteers to swim 
across the river. 

1 l Colonel Funston explained to the men what 
we had found and then instantly called for 
volunteers to go after the raft. A good many 
men instantly stepped forward but the colonel 
selected only five. He sent Lieutenant Hardy, 
Trumpeter Barshfield, Corporal Drysdale and 
a couple of privates. The men didn't wait. 
They stripped and running from a high bank 
dove into the river. 

' ' The minute their heads appeared above the 
water you may be sure the attention of our 
fellows was pretty well divided. We watched 
the heads bobbing up and down in the swift 
stream, for the current there was running al- 
most like a mill-race. At the same time it was 
necessary to keep the attention of the Filipinos 
from the five boys that were trying to swim the 
river. It seemed to me that the popping of 
the rifles was louder and faster than it ever 

233 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW. 

had been. It sounded like a continuous per- 
formance. 

" Every one of the boys of the five was a 
good swimmer and he needed to be. The cur- 
rent carried them down stream so fast that at 
first it seemed as if they would be able to land, 
if they landed at all, only several hundred yards 
below the spot where the raft was moored. 
They stuck to it, however, and strung out in 
such a way that no one of them was less than 
ten yards away from the other. 

"To make matters seem a little more lively 
our boys on the bank began to yell again and 
one or two field-pieces were brought into ac- 
tion. The din was almost deafening. What 
we were after was to keep the Filipinos from fir- 
ing at our lads who were out in the stream. 

"We succeeded only in part. Some of the 
Filipinos, when the five boys came nearer the 
other side of the river, were able to fire with- 
out exposing themselves to us. We saw where 
the bullets struck the water and once or twice 
we were sure that the lieutenant and the cor- 
poral had been hit. However, they kept on 

234 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

without a break. I suppose it was only a few 
minutes, but it seemed like a long time to us, 
who were anxiously watching our friends. 
When they came nearer the shore we set up 
another and a louder yell. The straw hats then 
bobbed up and down faster than ever, but still 
not one of the Filipinos exposed himself as a 
target. 



THE KAINE 



"At last the lieutenant, who was in the lead, 
found that he could reach the bottom with his 
feet. Instantly he began to run, sometimes 
dodging and sometimes diving. It was a mov- 
ing target he presented, there was no doubt 
about that. 

"At last he gained the raft and climbed on 
board and then turned around to call to the 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 



other fellows. We let our field pieces go and 
saw a part of the trench go up in a cloud of 
dirt and dust. 

"It was just then that the other four boys 
climbed upon the raft and we saw that not one 
of them had been seriously hurt. 

"But the raft was still on the other side of 
the river. We watched the boys as they cast 
off and then with ropes 
they pulled it out into the 
stream. This time they 
were better protected 
than before, because the 
raft was between them 
and the shore. It was an 
anxious time for every 
one. 

"Steadily, but slowly the boys pulled the un- 
wieldy raft across the stream. When they 
came close to the land there were fellows there 
that rushed down into the water and seizing the 
ropes soon drew the raft ashore. The Little 
Guy was almost beside himself with excite- 
ment. We gave the lieutenant and the others 

236 




ADMIRAL DEWEY 



THE RAFT ON THE MARILOA 

cheer after cheer. They were all pretty well 
tuckered out, but they insisted upon responding 
to the Little Guy's call for volunteers to go 
back with the raft. It didn't seem as if it had 
more than reached our bank before the Little 
Guy along with Lieutenant Hopkins and twenty- 
one men of Company C jumped on board with 
their rifles. They had poles and with them they 
shoved the unwieldy raft across the river. 
The colonel already had arranged for patrols 
to be formed to give warning of any counter- 
attacks that might be made by the little brown 
rascals, who for all we knew might be hiding 
along the shore. 

"When we got across the stream we found 
that our guns had blown the trench into flint ers. 
The minute we struck the trench the lieutenant 
and a private from the Tenth Pennsylvania 
came in at the other end of it. It seems they 
had swum across the stream further up and 
were determined to have a hand in the fight. 
But the fight was all taken out of the Filipinos 
before we came. 

"We took thirty-one rifles which we smashed 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

and then threw about 4,000 rounds of ammuni- 
tion into the river. In the trench we took 
thirty-four men and found that we had killed 
twenty-four others. The captured men had not 
been able to put up much of a fight because 
twelve of their men were badly wounded. We 
brought the prisoners across the river on the 
raft. 

"All together that swimming of the Mariloa 
Eiver by Lieutenant Hardy and four men with 
him was one of the bravest deeds I ever saw. 
I am sure it had a good deal to do with the final 
taking of Malolos and bringing the foolish 
Filipinos at last to see that what we wanted was 
to help them and not to harm them. If any of 
us did not believe that the Little Guy was a 
soldier the whole length of his five feet three 
inches, we knew better when we saw him start 
on that raft straight across the river for the 
trenches which the Filipinos were holding on 
the other shore.' ' 



CHAPTER XVI 

THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

A Story of the War with Germany 

ALL Ms intimate friends called him Kack. 
His real name was Henry Kenneth Cas- 
sidy. His family always speak of him as Ken- 
neth, but when he entered the army and became 
a part of the Expeditionary Forces in France 
the records have his name Henry K. Cassidy. 
As he is six feet two inches in height it would 
seem as if there is enough of him to provide 
for all these different names and perhaps a 
few more. Indeed, one of the local papers in 
the place where Kack lives, after the dispatch 
from the American Army Headquarters had 
been received and the brief account of his deed 
of daring was cabled to the United States, 
gave the young soldier still another name, — 
"The Kansas Cyclone." The paper contained 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

a picture of the Kaiser peering out from one 
end of a trench and a German soldier doing 
likewise from the opposite end of the same 
trench, while in between was a whirling, twist- 
ing " Cyclone' ' which gradually assumed the 
name and face of Lieutenant Henry Kenneth 
Cassidy. 

Most of the leading daily papers in our coun- 
try, in their issues of May 9 and 10, 1918, 
contained the dispatch announcing the fact that 
the young Kansas Cyclone had been among the 
first to receive his Croix de Guerre. 

Those who had known him since his boyhood 
were not surprised, though naturally all were 
greatly pleased at the recognition which had 
come so soon. His father, proud as he was of 
his son's daring deed, said to the writer that his 
foremost feeling was one of thankfulness that 
the boy was still living. To his mother, on 
Mothers' Day, May 12th, came a simple cable- 
gram of two words, " Loving Greetings." 
These words from faraway France although 
they did not refer to the daring of Lieutenant 
Cassidy 's deed, which won for him the war 

240 




LIEUTENANT CASSir-Y 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

cross, nevertheless were marvelously comfort- 
ing to those who then were assured of his safety, 
for not a word had they heard beyond what 
the brief dispatches contained. 

Such bravery does not happen. Before ever 
he had a thought of fighting in the army of his 
country, young Cassidy was making good in the 
classroom and on the athletic field. Nor did 
his activities stop there, for he was also a leader 
in the Young Men's Christian Association in 
his home city ; and in the Sunday School of the 
church of which he was a member he was the 
adored teacher of a class of thirty admiring 
boys. 

While he was a student in the high school he 
made the following records, — he was a member 
of the school football, basketball, baseball, track 
and tennis teams. He was also president of 
the senior class of 145 members. 

After he graduated from the high school 
he entered college, leaving in his Junior year 
to go to Camp Eiley, where he received his 
preliminary training for the commission he now 
holds. 

243 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

In college, Rack's record was even better than 
the one he had made in the preparatory school. 
He holds the Kansas State record in the pole 
vault, in the state tennis-doubles championship. 
He was selected as one of the All-Kansas 
Basketball Team for three years and one year 
he was selected for the second All-Kansas foot- 
ball team. In 1917 he won first place in the 
State Intercollegiate Oratorical contest and was 
active in various other ways. Altogether it is 
evident now why the dispatches from the front, 
making much of the bravery of the young lieu- 
tenant, and describing in some detail the action 
which brought him the Croix de Guerre, pro- 
vided no great surprise for those who had 
known him a long time. 

Soon after the first officers' camp closed at 
Fort Riley, Lieutenant Cassidy sailed for 
France. Arriving there safely he was first sent 
to a military school for two months and then was 
assigned to the regiment with which he now is 
serving. Doubtless the reason for his being as- 
signed to this particular regiment is in part 
at least due to his name. Not the Henry nor 

244 




NERAL PERSHINj 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

the Kenneth, but the Cassidy, for many of the 
boys in the old Fighting Sixty-ninth are those 
who bear the names of Irish ancestors. 

The event occurred on the Lorraine sector of 
the battle front on the 5th of May. The action 
took place near the little hamlet of Anservillers. 

There was strong need of discovering what 
the Germans were doing in the long line of 
trenches opposite those which were held by the 
Americans. Artillery fire had been nearly con- 
stant but the commander was eager to discover 
how many or what Germans had been left to 
oppose them. 

Three patrols were sent out at three o'clock 
in the morning of that day. There had not been 
any special artillery preparations when the 
three American patrols quietly left for Anser- 
villers, which village is well within the Allied 
lines. 

Eight men under the command of Lieutenant 
Cassidy formed one of the three patrols. Of 
the other two, one had taken a position on the 
right flank and the other on the left. Lieuten- 
ant Cassidy, however, led his men by a clever 

247 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

turning movement and entered Anservillers 
from the rear. 

At first apparently there were no signs of 
Germans in the vicinity. 

Across No Man's Land the desolate ground 
had been torn and broken until it did not seem 
possible anything living ever could grow again 
on the blasted soil. The young lieutenant, 
however, had no thought of halting on the de- 
batable land. By his clever turning movement 
he gained the rear of certain German posts, 
although at the time, he was not fully aware 
of the advantage he had obtained. 

Three hundred yards behind the German 
front the little patrol had been led, before it 
turned to retrace its way. The lieutenant, you 
may be sure, was doing his utmost and as the 
men groped forward there was no one in the 
little band more cautious or determined than 
the leader. 

It was on their return when the whispered 
command to halt was suddenly given. An 
enemy observation post, or at least what was 
supposed to be such, was discovered in the dim 

248 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

light and it was necessary now to grope for- 
ward and discover whether or not it was oc- 
cupied by German soldiers. 

The young lieutenant stealthily was leading 
the way. How could he know that there were 
seven desperate Germans in the observation 
post, every one of whom was determined to 
do his utmost to obtain knowledge of the "con- 
temptible" little American patrol? 

As has been said, Lieutenant Cassidy thus 
far had not discovered a German in all the 
region he had traversed. Evidently the recent 
continuous shelling by the American artillery 
had been too heavy to permit the Boches to re- 
main in the positions they had occupied. Many 
of them had withdrawn, however, and gone in 
such a manner as to conceal their absence, leav- 
ing the American leaders still uncertain con- 
cerning the conditions confronting their men. 
It was partly to ascertain the condition of these 
apparently deserted shell holes and dugouts 
that the patrol had been sent by the Americans 
across No Man's Land. 

Lieutenant Cassidy stealthily moved forward 
249 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

to make further investigations when suddenly 
the German guard of the dugout, who up to 
this time had not been seen by the Americans, 
suddenly stepped forward and presenting his 
gun demanded the surrender of the lieutenant 
and his party. 

The position was one which it is difficult to 
picture. In the dim light of the early morning 
the nine American soldiers, having crossed the 
debatable land and then having returned to 
the border of the apparently deserted trenches, 
were naturally in a nervous state that might 
well have created a panic amongst them. It is 
not a game when a man finds himself confronted 
by a sturdy and merciless German soldier, whose 
rifle is aimed directly at the face of the man 
whom he has called upon to surrender. Doubt- 
less in the years to come that picture, stamped 
indelibly in the mind of the young American 
officer, will be frequently seen and whenever 
it is recalled will not cease to provide thrills of 
its own. 

But young Cassidy had no thought of sur- 
rendering. He had come to fight the Germans 

250 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

and not to become their prisoner. Like a flash 
of light the young officer drew his revolver and 
before the German soldier could repeat his 
demand or clearly see what was occurring Lieu- 
tenant Cassidy had fired. The German guard 
fell dead. 

There was no time or opportunity for con- 
gratulations. Scarcely aware of the peril from 
which he had escaped the young lieutenant in- 
stantly rushed to the entrance of the dugout 
and flashed his light into the depths of the place 
of refuge. The light abruptly disappeared, but 
the young American leader already had dis- 
covered that at least seven Germans were con- 
cealed in the underground room. It was not 
until afterward that he learned that the little 
force consisted of a corporal and six soldiers. 

With a cheer and a call the lieutenant sum- 
moned his followers. There was no hesitation, 
even for a moment, but other weapons than 
rifles were now to be used. Drawing their 
long, keen trench knives the Americans leaped 
into the dugout. 

Before they had fairly landed upon their feet 
251 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

the straggle for life and death began. The Ger- 
man soldiers were equipped with rifles, but in 
such close quarters it was almost impossible to 
fire. Fighting with bayonets and with rifles 
held aloft, the Germans did their utmost to 
kill their attacking enemies. The American 
soldiers, however, instantly were ready for the 
onset and threw themselves into the frightful 
struggle. Back and forth in the grim quarters 
the men struggled in their desperate efforts to 
destroy their enemies. All thoughts of time 
were lost. It was a hand-to-hand conflict, every 
man doing his utmost to protect himself by 
killing his enemy. 

It is difficult for one far from the scene of the 
battle to conceive of the terrible earnestness 
with which such men fight. It almost seemed 
as if they were no longer human. They were 
fighting as beasts contend in the forests. There 
may be such a thing as "civilized" warfare, 
but the contest under the ground in which Lieu- 
tenant Cassidy and his eight men were meet- 
ing the savage attacks of the German soldiers 
had ceased to belong to that class. It was like 

252 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

a fight to the death between savage creatures 
of the wild. The result must be the overthrow 
of one party or the other. There was no room 
in the dugout for Americans and Germans at 
the same time. 

Just how long the contest lasted is not known 
at the time when this story is written. It could 
not have been very long, however, so fierce were 
the efforts of the contestants. 

The struggle was brought to a conclusion 
when there were cries of "Kamerade! Kam- 
erade!" heard from the Germans. 

The terrific contest did not prevent the spirit 
of fair play from prevailing among the Ameri- 
cans. As soon as the cry of surrender was 
heard Lieutenant Cassidy instantly ordered his 
comrades to cease. Even if the Germans, who 
were now prisoners, had been minded to take 
advantage of the fairness of the captors it 
would have been impossible for them to do so. 
Already the lesson which they had brutally and 
treacherously taught in so many ways and 
places, of offering to surrender and then shoot- 
ing the man who in good faith had listened to 

253 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

their plea for mercy, was known by the sturdy 
American boys. The old Sixty-ninth is made 
up of men who are true sports, but although 
they were willing to accept the surrender of 
their enemies as soon as the call came, never- 
theless they were keenly alert to any possible 
act of treachery. 

Only a brief time was required to disarm the 
prisoners. Guns and ammunition were taken 
away and knives and clubs were removed by 
the Americans from the possession of their re- 
cent enemies. Then with his men carefully ar- 
ranged, the lieutenant ordered his prisoners to 
follow him to the outer air. There the little 
procession was reformed and with all due haste 
the victorious little patrol with three German 
soldiers and the German corporal remaining 
alive as prisoners, started toward the American 
lines. Two German soldiers were lying dead 
within the dugout. Outside, was the guard who, 
as one describing the contest had said, "was 
not so quick on the trigger as the man he at- 
tempted to make his prisoner.' ' 

You may be sure that the welcome which the 
254 



THE KANSAS CYCLONE 

American patrol received when they were once 
more among their friends with their living 
trophies to display, was enthusiastic. It was 
clearly understood then why Kack Cassidy had 
been one of the first two American lieutenants 
selected for service in the trenches. His suc- 
cess in meeting the moment of peril, his quick 
wit and instant action were all the results of 
the training which had begun long before he 
went to the officers 9 training school at Fort 
Eiley. It was made up of self-control, power to 
decide quickly, courage that was of the highest 
and a determination that could not be shaken. 
These qualities, however, do not come suddenly 
to any man. A moment comes when a man is 
tested. It is like turning on an electric light 
in a room. The light does not make the chairs 
or pictures, the rugs or the books, it simply re- 
veals what is already there although it was 
unseen before. 

In the same way Lieutenant Kack Cassidy 
showed as in a flash the results of his work in 
the classroom, his faithful training for the 
athletic games, the power to decide quickly 

255 



FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

which he acquired on the gridiron and the dia- 
mond. Perhaps after all this is the best part 
of the story. Sometimes a boy thinks he will 
become a great man. If the dream ever comes 
true it will be because he was true before the 
testing time comes. At all events Lieutenant 
Henry Kenneth Cassidy showed in his daring 
deed the highest qualities an American boy can 
acquire. It may not be the part of every one 
to display them in a fierce hand-to-hand con- 
flict with enemies. Indeed, we all hope that 
that field will never again be open, but the 
contests in a human life are not all limited to 
the battle field, and years ago there was a very 
wise man who once said, "he that ruleth his 
spirit is better than he that taketh a city." 



CHAPTER XVII 

TWICE BURIED 

A Story of the War with Germany 

"V TT THEN the little American army which 
\ \ led the way for the increasing troops 
in France was assigned a place to defend in the 
line the boys were soon put to the test by the 
Germans. Indeed, it seemed almost as if the 
Germans were determined to try out 
the metal of the Yankee boys by 
heavy attacks and by many tricks of 
their soldiers. 

How the expeditionary forces met 
this first test is well known, although 
many of the incidents of personal 
bravery doubtless never will be told. 
German airplanes were dropping 
upon the lines printed pamphlets of 
their propaganda. Still the Ger- 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

mans were hopeful of breaking, if they could 
not destroy, the enthusiasm of the boys from 
across the sea. Heavy gas attacks were made, 
and thrusts at what were supposed to be weak 
points were frequent. The artillery fire often 
was focused upon some one spot and in every- 
way within their power the German leaders 
appeared to be determined to weaken the latest 
addition to the armies of the Allies. 

Among the many tales that are told of the 
daring of the American boys in these first fights 
is one of a Connecticut boy who, in the attack 
on Seicheprey was one of a one hundred and 
fifty Americans that had been almost sur- 
rounded by more than eight hundred German 
soldiers. The boys were fighting desperately, 
every one determined to make the enemy pay 
dearly for every life that was lost. But what 
could they do when they were so greatly out- 
numbered? Fortunately French troops came 
to their assistance and the boys were saved. 
In relating the story the Connecticut boy said, 
"We got on fine with the Frenchmen. They 
had been training us, so that they seemed like 

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our own fellows. We certainly did make it 
hot for the Germans." 

Another New England boy, a sergeant, with 
his men had charge of two Stokes guns. For 
twelve minutes they were entirely isolated in a 
German barrage. They were not able even to 
signal for help to the American lines. The 
sergeant was wounded, but he stuck to his post 
and the two guns continued to pour their hot 
fire into the waves of attacking Germans. 

In spite of the inability of their comrades to 
come to their aid the German formation was 
broken up by the little band. At last, only 
when the guns were jammed, did the sergeant 
and his men retire from the position. 

Another brave and determined young soldier 
who was handling a gun all by himself was 
asked by an officer in one of the lulls of the fight 
if he could a little longer hold the line. "I can 
hold it unless I get killed,' ' he replied promptly. 
It is a source of satisfaction to know that the 
daring young soldier held the line until re- 
enforcements came, and that he was not killed. 

Even the members of the sanitary squad 
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seemed to share in the prevailing bravery. It 
is told of one young soldier named Connor 
that he and seven companions were captured 
by the Germans. The daring boys, however, 
fought their way through and escaped from 
their captors, not one of the Americans being 
wounded. As soon as they arrived at Seichep- 
rey they took charge of the First Aid Station 
there and did their best for the wounded men 
until the surgeons came to their aid. Young 
Connor then went to the rear and quickly 
formed a new squad with which he returned 
to the front. There, however, the daring young 
runner soon was wounded and for a time was 
compelled to retire from the fight. 

Perhaps the strangest and certainly one of 
the most stirring tales of the early fights of 
the Americans is that of a young sergeant from 
New York. His "bunkies" said of him that he 
was the gamest man the Expeditionary Forces 
contained. And they told the following tale to 
substantiate their statement : 

The Germans had been a long time shelling a 
position in which the young sergeant was sta- 

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tioned. There had not been any lulls in the 
thunder of the guns. The sergeant, unmindful 
of his peril, had stuck to his position until at 
last he was unable to remain longer. 

Driven by the steadily increasing fire he at 
last sought refuge in a dugout. There the 
tired and breathless young soldier cast him- 
self upon the ground and believing himself to 
be in comparative safety almost forgot the roar 
of the guns and the bursting of the shells on 
the ground above him. At intervals he even 
fell into a deep sleep. 

It was from one of these naps that he was 
suddenly and rudely awakened. A chance shell 
had hit the dugout in which he was hiding and 
the ground for many yards around was opened 
up by it. The place of refuge to which the 
young sergeant had fled was itself hit by the 
shell and was buried in the mass of debris that 
instantly was heaped upon it. 

Following the shell-burst there was a brief 
lull, but when the "bunkies" decided to go to 
the relief of their buried comrade the firing was 
renewed with even greater intensity. It was 

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impossible for any human beings to make their 
way through the terrific fusillade. For hours 
his mates waited, hoping to find a brief interval 
of quiet in which they might rush to the help 
of their buried friend. Not one of them be- 
lieved him to be still alive, but the chance 
was one to be taken. 

More than twenty-four hours elapsed before 
the longed-for lull at last came. Then, 
equipped with picks and shovels, several of 
the sergeant's friends rushed at once to his 
release. 

Shovels and picks were flying fast the mo- 
ment the boys arrived. There was still a dim 
hope that they might find the brave young 
sergeant living, but all his friends were fear- 
ful. In their desperation they increased their 
efforts with every passing minute. Perspira- 
tion streamed down the faces of the toiling men 
and not a moment of relaxation was taken by 
any one. 

Suddenly there was a low call from one of 
the men and instantly all stopped to listen. 

"He's still alive," exclaimed the corporal. 
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1 c I know lie is. Careful now, boys. We '11 soon 
get him out of this. ' ' 

With increased anxiety the young soldiers 
continued their labors and only a few minutes 
elapsed before they freed the head and shoul- 
ders of the sergeant. He was standing nearly 
upright, but was held fast in the mass because 
his legs were buried in the concrete and ruins. 

In a brief time the friends of the rescued 
sergeant wiped the mud and filth from his face 
and in response to his feeble request instantly 
one of his friends held forth his canteen. The 
sergeant drank long and heavily. 

Comforted and strengthened by the release 
which had come, the hope of every one in the 
little band was strengthened. It was more than 
they had dared expect to find the sergeant still 
living. 

"There's no time to waste, boys," called the 
corporal, "we must get at it again with our 
picks and shovels. Careful, every one. We 
must save his strength and not touch him with 
a shovel. 

At that moment the sergeant again opened 
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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

his eyes and said, "All right, boys. Don't 
worry on my account. I hope you won't ex- 
pose yourselves, either. I guess I'm not hurt 
much and I'm sure I don't want you to take 
any chances." 

At that moment another shell broke. It was 
larger than the one which before had made 
the havoc and apparently even more destruc- 
tive in its effect. At least a ton of earth in- 
stantly caved in. Beneath it was the sergeant, 
who had been so nearly rescued by his friends. 

There is his grave. Somewhere in France, 
caught by the guns of the Germans he yielded 
up his life because he had not been willing to 
retire from his post of danger. 

Most of his friends were uninjured by the 
falling of the shell, a few received slight 
wounds, but that was all. This time they re- 
quired no one to convince them that their friend 
was gone. In his weakness it would be impos- 
sible for him to live beneath the mass which 
doubtless crushed him when it fell. 

1 ' Somewhere in France." It is a common 
expression and yet one which never can lose its 

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meaning. The brave young sergeant, nameless, 
so far as a marker of his place of burial is con- 
cerned, still by his heroism and devotion to the 
cause which he loved, left a record which will 
not soon be forgotten. And his deed of daring 
was one of many. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

THE FALL. OF CAPTAIN HALL 

A Story of the War with Germany 

" "TIMMIE'' HALL was one of the most 
#1 popular men in the flying corps in 
France. Quiet in his manner, strong m every- 
way, his courage and skill made him almost the 
idol of his fellows. There was not a cooler 
man in times of danger nor one who could 
handle his machine with more daring than he. 
When he gained the rank of captain there was 
not one of his friends who did not say that he 
deserved the honor. On his 'plane he had 
painted a large hat, patterned after the kind 
which Uncle Sam is supposed to wear. This 
hat was sprinkled with gilt stars and the whole 
was enclosed in a golden ring. It was simply 
Jimmie Hall's way of showing the Boches that 
Uncle Sam's "hat was in the ring." 

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THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL 

In his manner there was something of the 
quiet and impressive calm that belong to the 
Iowa prairies from which he had come. His 
quiet manner, however, might have deceived 
any one who met him for the first time. Be- 
hind his modest demeanor was a determination 
that never relaxed when the young captain once 
had taken hold. 

Before war had been declared by his own 
country he had been flying under the British 
colors and also under the French. Again and 
again he declared that he hoped his career 
would not be ended until he entered the con- 
flict, flying the colors of his native country. His 
wish was fulfilled, though to-day no one knows 
whether Captain Hall is dead, or is a prisoner 
of the Germans. 

With two others he was patrolling early one 
morning in May, near Saint Mihiel and Pont-a- 
Mousson. Apparently there was only an ex- 
pedition for observation upon which the three 
fliers were to enter. Every one of them, how- 
ever, was keenly on the lookout, for no one 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

knew just when his enemies might come forth to 
give battle. 

The three 'planes struck nearly westward in 
their flight. It was a marvelous morning, for 
the air was unusually clear and the fogs were 
all in the lowlands. 

When they had flown ten miles and were al- 
most directly over Pagny-sur-Moselle, suddenly 
four Albatross airplanes appeared, plainly bent 
upon giving battle to the Americans. Every 
♦one of the Yankee fliers was able to see the 
fclack and white stripes on the sides of the 
enemy machines, and all three knew that they 
were about to face a foe that was eager for the 
fight. 

There was no delay. Instantly giving the sig- 
nal, as soon as he discovered the presence of 
the German airplanes, Captain Hall singled out 
one of the enemy machines and started swiftly 
toward it. In his eagerness to force the fight 
he soon discovered that he was driving the 
other 'plane toward the earth. Both were mov- 
ing swiftly, but Jimmie Hall was firing all the 
time with his machine gun. Together both ma- 

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THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL 

chines made spiral dives. They had dropped 
from 6,000 meters to about 4,000, when the Ger- 
man abruptly reversed his machine and began 
to rise toward the Yankee airman. 

The German made an unusually quick and 
successful turn and instantly began to pour a 
deadly stream of machine gun bullets into the 
bottom of Hall's machine. 

Unexpected as the sudden attack was the 
young captain quickly came out of the spiral and 
made a dive toward the earth. 

While this contest was going on the three re- 
maining German machines that were righting 
with the other two Americans dropped toward 
the ground. Something apparently was wrong 
with them for they were manifestly in distress. 
Just what the trouble was or what became of 
them is not known, because, unless an enemy 
machine is brought to the earth within the lines 
of the Allies, no credit is given the flier for 
the fall. 

It was plain that the German machines were 
out in force. Alarm after alarm had been an- 
swered by the Americans. The sky soon 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

seemed to be filled with the contestants. Lieu- 
tenant Cunningham was busily engaged in fight- 
ing a German machine when from behind the 
clouds five more of the enemy fliers joined in 
the contests. The young lieutenant appar- 
ently continued his fight although the odds were 
greatly against him until his machine gun 
jammed. He was able, however, to return to 
the American lines in spite of the ten bullet 
holes which afterward were counted in his 
'plane. 

The morning was an ideal one for the Ger- 
mans to play the game at which they fre- 
quently were successful. Their plan on such 
days was to send out a small number of 'planes, 
which gradually came near the American lines. 
Far behind them, and hidden from sight, were 
four or five other machines for each that had 
flown toward the American side. If the Ameri- 
can machine attempted to fight, then all these 
reserves would sweep down in a desperate at- 
tempt to wipe out the American 'planes. The 
morning on which this action occurred the 
American aviators were promptly answering 

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THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL 

the alarms, until it seemed that there were 
twice as many of their machines in the sky as 
were handled by the German aviators. 

Meanwhile the fight of Captain Hall was eag- 
erly watched by his friends who were doing 
their utmost to assist him. The German avia- 
tor was now in full flight and apparently Cap- 
tain Hall was pressing him hard. 

One of the perils against which all the Ameri- 
can aviators had been warned was attempting 
to bring up a machine sharply when it was mak- 
ing a plunge downward. They were taught 
that the strain was almost certain to bring a 
collapse in some vital part of the 'plane. The 
German aviator whom Jimmie Hall was pur- 
suing was finding his position increasingly hard. 
Suddenly he changed his course and adopted the 
desperate expedient of bringing up his ma- 
chine sharply from his downward plunge, in 
case his desperate expedient succeeded. His 
machine stood the strain and the aviator was 
able to pour a stream of bullets into the bottom 
of Captain Hall's machine. It was the unex- 
pected which had happened. Doubtless the 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

young airman had not believed his German 
enemy would attempt anything so foolhardy as 
the sharp turn he had made. The attempt, how- 
ever, was successful, the machine apparently 
was uninjured and the German fighter seriously 
damaged the 'plane of his enemy. 

At that time, as has been said, Captain Hall 
was attempting a long spiral dive. As soon as 
his machine had been riddled with the bullets 
of the German, he at once came out of the spiral 
and made a long dive for the earth. 

So anxious were his comrades that for a mo- 
ment they almost forgot the peril they them- 
selves were confronting. Of course it was im- 
possible for a man in one machine to make him- 
self heard by the occupants of another and yet 
it was manifest that every aviator was keenly 
excited and was watching the attempt of their 
comrade to escape from the plight in which he 
now found himself. 

Steadily the daring young American fell to- 
ward the ground. At first his friends believed 
that he would be able to find some way out of 
his difficulty because never yet had Jimmie Hall 

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THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL 

been in so tight a place that he could not find 
some way of escape. In a brief time, however, 
it was evident that something was radically 
wrong. The course of the machine showed that 
its brave young occupant had lost control. 
Twice it threatened to collapse and the anxiety 
of the watchers became more tense. There was 
some satisfaction, however, in the fact that the 
German flier apparently was unable to see much 
of the plight of his enemy. It was plain that 
he too was having troubles of his own, for his 
'plane, although he was able to hold it to a 
course, was manifestly in great straits. 

Meanwhile Captain Hall continued to fall 
even more swiftly toward the ground. It was 
not long before there were only a few hundred 
feet between him and the earth. Unless some- 
thing miraculous intervened there was nothing 
to prevent a wild crash. 

In an agony of suspense his friends watched 
while many of them swooped dangerously near 
in their desire to aid the daring young captain. 
There was a rush of the many German machines 
toward the place and, greatly outnumbered, the 

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FIGHTERS YOUNG AMERICANS WANT TO KNOW 

Americans were compelled to flee. The eyes of 
every aviator, however, still were watching the 
'plane of Captain Hall. They waited until it 
disappeared behind a clump of trees and then 
as the Germans actively renewed their assault 
they were compelled to withdraw. 

No one knew just what had befallen Captain 
Hall. His courage and coolness had saved him 
on many a fateful day and some were hopeful 
that they had not failed him in his last desper- 
ate plunge. However, when at last the avia- 
tors returned behind their own lines there was 
not one who was able to suggest that the most 
daring airman of them all had not met his death 
in his latest descent. 

For days men watched and waited but Jimmie 
Hall did not return. At last his comrades sor- 
rowfully decided that Captain Hall had made 
his last flight. Again and again they recounted 
the bravery of the young Iowan and many were 
the stories they told of his daring deeds. Dar- 
ing he was but never reckless, and in any diffi- 
culty he had not failed to retain control of him- 
self as well as of his machine. Not until the end 

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THE FALL OF CAPTAIN HALL 

of the war has come will any one know defi- 
nitely the fate of Captain James Norman Hall. 
At all events the desire of his heart had been 
granted and if it was his last fight he fought as 
an American under the flag of his own country. 
Since this story was written, the following 
dispatch has appeared and been printed in many 
newspapers of the United States : 

CAPTAIN HALL ALIVE 

With the Americans in Lorraine, May 21. — Capt. 
James Norman Hall, of Colfax, la., who was brought down 
behind the German lines May 7, is alive in a German hos- 
pital, it was learned to-day. He is wounded, but not dan- 
gerously. 



THE END 



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